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Sciences 
Corporation 


33  WIST  MAIN  STREfT 

WeaSTER.N.Y.  14580 

(716)  A73-4503 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notas  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  In  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  belotv. 


0    Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


n 


Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommag^e 

Covers  restored  .^nd/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pellicul6e 

Cover  title  missing/ 

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□    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
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D 
D 


n 


D 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
ReliA  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serr6e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
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pas  6t6  filmies. 

Additional  comments:/ 
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L'Instit'Jt  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
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point  d(  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mithode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu^s  ci-dessous. 


I      I    Coloured  pages/ 


D 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagies 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

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I — I  Pages  damaged/ 

I — I  Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 

r—pt  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 

I      I  Pages  detached/ 

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I      I  Includes  supplementary  material/ 


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obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
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obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmi  au  taux  de  rMuction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

J 

12X 

16X 

20X 

24X 

28X 

32X 

The  copy  filmed  here  hat  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Library  of  the  Pubiic 
Archives  of  Canada 


L'exemplaire  film*  fut  treproduit  grAc«  A  la 
gAnirositA  de: 

La  bibliothdque  des  Archives 
pubiiques  du  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  f  ont  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  bach  cover  when  appropriate.  AIA 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  —^>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies.  ^ 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6ti  repioduites  avec  ie 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  conditior  at 
de  In  netteti  de  l'exemplaire  film4,  et  en 
comormlt6  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
fllmage. 

Los  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  ImprimAe  sont  filmds  en  commen^ant 
par  Ie  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'Hiumtratlon,  soit  par  Ie  second 
plat,  selon  Ie  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film6s  en  commenipant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d' illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  derniire  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaltra  sur  la 
derniire  Image  de  chaque  microfiche,  selon  Sa 
cas:  Ie  symbole  •-►  signSfie  "A  SUIVRE",  Ie 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN  ". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
fllm6s  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diffirents. 
Lorsque  Ie  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seui  ciichA,  il  est  filmi  d  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rleur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  has,  en  prenant  Ie  nombre 
d'images  n^cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
lllustrent  la  mAthode. 


1 

2 

3 

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COMMERCIAL  UNION 


SOME  LETTERS,  PAPERS,  ASD  SPEECJIES. 


'^H^resUmtP  hme  taken  i^  fi^''^;^J'J''^Lun^rie  and  tra^  '^»^^  "*^^ 


* 


|5SX1X«C«*." 


^m-  - 


COMMERCIAL  UNION 


BETWEEN    THE 


United  States  and  Canada. 


SOME  LETTERS.  PAPERS.  AND  SPEECHES. 


"We  live  in  a  new  and  exceptional  age.  America  is  anotbai*  name  for  OppoTtuaity.  Ita 
■whole  Vi«  story  appears  like  a  last  effort  ol  the  Divine  Providence  on  behali  of  the  human 
race. "— EMEK80N. 


-••♦- 


NEW    YORK,: 


ERASTUS    WIMAN,    314    BROADWAY. 

c 


f? 


'i'!:iSii^^-S^-i^^^^<:Si.^^^--^':.im£^^-s~'JX^-^^^^^^ 


INTRODUCTORY. 


in  the  following  pages  are  grouped  together  some  Letters,  Papers,  and 
fl^cechea  on  the  subject  of  Commercial  Uxion  between  the  United  States  and 
Canada.  No  attempt  is  made  to  include  anything  like  a  complete  list  of  publica- 
tions on  this  topic,  but  simply  to  rescue  from  the  oblivion  of  a  daily  newspaper, 
and  put  in  permanent  form,  some  productions  which  might  otherwise  be  difficult  of 
access.  The  compilation  tvill  be  added  to  from  time  to  time  as  occasion  may  arise. 
The  object  is  to  make  accessible  some  vieivs  regarding  this  question,  ivhich  is 
perhaps,  in  its  extent  and  eventual  effects,  the  largest  questio.i  now  before  the 
public.  On  the  next  page  will  be  found  a  copy  of  the  bill  introduced  into  Congress 
by  the  Hon.  Benjamin  Butterwouth,  ivhich  may  ivell  form  a  basis  for  the 
discussion  which  impends  on  this  important  topic.  The  publisher  apologizes  for 
permittivg  so  large  a  space  to  be  filled  tvith  his  own  productions  ;  but,  having  given 
the  subject  a  good  deal  of  attention,  he  prints  his  views  in  default  of  something 
better.    Copies  of  the  pamphlet  can  be  had  on  application  to  the  address  on  the 


title 


page. 


THE  BUTTERWORTH  BILL 

To  provide  for  full  Keciprocity  between  the  United 
States  and  the  Dominion  of  Canada. 


Whereas  controversies  have  arisen  and  are  now  existing  between  the 
Government  of  the  United  States  and  the  Government  of  the  Dominion 
•of  Canada,  growing  ont  of  the  construction  of  treaties  affecting  fishing 
interests;  and 

Whereas,  by  reason  of  the  contiguity  of  the  two  countries  and  the  similarity 
of  the  interests  and  occupations  of  the  people  thereof,  it  is  desired  by 
the  United  States  to  remove  all  existing  controversies  and  all  causes  of 
controversy  in  the  future,  and  to  promote  and  encourage  business  and 
commercial  intercourse  between  the  people  of  both  countries,  and  to 
promote  harmony  between  the  two  Governments,  and  to  enable  the 
citizens  of  each  to  trade  with  the  citizens  of  the  other  without  restriction 
and  irrespective  of  boxmdaries,  as  fully  and  freely  as  though  there  was 
no  boundary-lino  between  the  two  countries :    Therefore, 


He  U  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of 
Bepregentativet  of  the  United  Staten  of  Amer- 
ica in  Congress  assembled,  That  whenever, 
and  aa  soon  an  the  Govei-ninent  ot  the  said 
Dominion  of  Canada  shall,  by  act  of  her  Par- 
liament, permit  all  ai  ticlea  of  trade  and  com- 
merce of  whatever  name  or  nature,  whether 
the  product  of  the  soli  or  of  the  waters  of  the 
United  States,  or  manufactured  articles,  live 
stock  of  all  kinds,  and  its  proilacts,  minerals 
«nd  coal  tlie  products  of  the  mines  of  the 
United  States,  to  enter  the  ports  of  the  said 
Dominion  of  Canada  free  of  duty,  then  all  ar- 
ticles manufactured  in  Canada,  and  all  pro- 
ilacts of  the  soil  and  waters,  and  all  minerals 
and  coal  product  of  the  mines  of  the  said 
Dominion  of  Canada,  and  all  otlier  articles  of 
every  name  and  description  prmluced  in  said 
Dominion  of  Canada,  shall  be  permitted  to 
enter  the  ports  of  the  United  States  free  of 
•duty  ;  It  being  the  Intention  of  this  act  to  pro- 
vide  for  absolute  reciprocity  of  trade  between 
the  two  countries  as  to  all  articles  of  what- 
ever name'  or  nature  produced  in  the  said 
countries  respectively. 

SEC,  2.  That  when  It  shall  be  certified  to  the 
President  of  the  United  States  by  the  proper 
officials  of  the  Government  of  the  said  Dom- 
inion of  Canada  that  the  said  last-named 
Government,  by  act  of  Parliament,  has  au- 
thorized the  admission  into  the  ports  of  said 


Government  of  all  articles  of  trade  and  com- 
merce pro<laced  in  the  United  States,  free  of 
duty,  the  President  shall  make  proclamation 
thereof,  and  shall  likewise  proclaim  that  all 
articles  produced  In  the  said  Dominion  of 
Canada  shall  be  admitted  into  all  the  ports 
of  the  United  States  free  of  duty,  and  such 
articles  shall  be  so  admitted  into  the  porto 
of  the  United  States  free  of  duty  so  long 
as  the  said  Dominion  of  Canada  shall  ad- 
mit the  products  of  the  United  States, 
as  herein  provided  for,  into  her  ports  free 
of  duty. 

SEC.  3.  That  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury 
Is  hereby  authorized,  with  the  approval  of  the 
President  of  tlu*  United  States,  in  connection 
with  the  proper  officials  of  tlie  Government 
of  the  said  Dominion  of  Canada,  to  make  rules 
and  regulations  for  the  purpose  of  carrying 
into  effect  the  provisions  of  this  act,  and  to 
protect  the  said  respective  Governments 
against  the  importation  of  foreign  goods 
through  either  into  the  other ;  and  the  Sec- 
retary of  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States 
shall  furnish  to  the  customs  officers  of  tha 
United  States  such  rules  and  regulations  for 
the  purpose  of  guiding  tliem  in  the  discharge 
of  their  duties  in  respect  to  the  protection  of 
each  of  the  said  Governments  against  im- 
proper importation  of  foreign  gooils  as  herein 
contc^Tlated. 


;.  )  •    ^ 


;,     ,•     N 


":  ^•.,^*• 


'h 


COMMERCIAL    UNION    ' 

BETWKKN  THE 

UNITED    STATES    AND    CANADA. 


LETTER  FROM  HON.  ROBERT  R.  HITT, 

REPRESENTATIVE  IN  TUB  UNITED  STATES  CONORESSi,  FROM  ILLINOIS. 


DEAR  SIR: 

For  Hoveral  years  I  liave  Ix'llevert  tlmt  our 
troubloH  with  Cnnaila  would  nover  b(»  per- 
inmicntly  imtl  sutlRfiictorily  settled  by  any 
measure  short  of  coniuicrclal  union,  and  the 
renu)val  of  all  restiictions  upou  trade  and  in- 
tercourse between  the  two  countries.  As  to 
other  nations,  both  could  maintain  a  tarilT, 
set  limitations  upon  fishing  privileKes,  and 
upon  ^articipatlou  in  the  eoast  trade ;  but  as 
to  eacli  other  every  barrier  should  be  swept 
away  In  a  commercial  union. 

Partial  arrangements  and  half-way  mea- 
sures must  fail  hereafter,  as  they  have  all 
failed  heretofore,  and  troubles  arise  again. 
The  reason  lies  in  the  position  and  circum- 
stances of  th(^  two  nations.  Canada,  however 
large  it  may  ai)p«ar  on  tlui  map.  is  rca'ly  a 
loug,  uuequal  strip  of  populatlm,  extending 
from  East  to  West  thousands  of  miles,  every- 
where right  beside  us.  Tlie  portions,  or 
Provinces,  along  the  line  differ  widely,  in 
many  respects,  but  they  agree  in  this  :  that 
they  seem  to  be  less  to  each  other  than  to  the 
States  close  at  band. 

The  natural  lines  of  commerce  for  the  ex- 
change of  products  are  not  so  much  East  and 
Wes*  as  North  and  South.  It  Is  the  unlike 
products  coming  from  different  latitudes  that 
seek  exchange.  Intercourse,  active  and  pro- 
fitable, there  will  always  be  between  this 
country  and  Canad*.  Restrictions  Irritate, 
and  are  always  liable  to  breed  troubli!s.  Now, 
if  they  can  be  removed  without  injury  to 
cither  party,  the  Canadian  question  will 
disappear,  and  two  harmonious  peoples  will 
flourish  beside  each  other  with  mutual  good 
win  and  respect. 

The  fishery  question  has  been  four  times 
settled,  as  statesmen  supposed,  first  by  one 
and  then  another  aixangement,  all  of  which 
proved  temporary ;  and  it  Is  again  In  dispute. 
The  trading  Intercourse  has  been  under  in- 
cessant discussion.  The  partial  reciprocity 
treaty  of  1854  was  at  first  popular  and  pru- 
mlslng.  It  included  a  considerable  list  of 
articles  to  be  mutua'ly  admitted  free.  But 
the  Ill-fortune  tbat  has  attended  all  our 
diplomacy  with  the  North  soon  appear  here 


again.  The  reciprocity  proved  one-fided,  an<1 
we  terminated  it  after  twelve  years'  trial.  So 
skillfully  hud  It  b(H>n  framed,  so  far  were  we 
outwitted  in  negotiatitm,  that  imdor  it  wo 
had  giviMi  to  the  (Canadians  a  market  free  of 
duty  for  »2'29,()0(),(>00  worth  of  their  products, 
while  they  gave  us  a  free  market  for  scarce 
half  as  nuicli.  It  admitted  into  the  United 
States  free  of  duty  9t  per  cent,  of  all  Canada 
sold  us,  while  they  collected  duties  on  42  per 
cent,  of  all  we  sold  to  them.  It  gave  them 
our  great  market  free  for  their  crops,  in  com- 
petition with  our  own  farmers,  and  it  ex- 
cluded our  manufactures  from  Canada.  To 
this,  or  any  other  partial  arrangement,  the 
people  of  the  United  States  \v\\i  never  again 
cousent. 

They  would  probably  accept  commercial 
union,  with  unrestrlcte  l  trade,  comnu)n  fish- 
ing rights,  and  coast  trade  privileges.  An 
equalized  tariff  would  abolish  tlie  expensive 
double  line  of  Custom  Houses  and  officers 
along  the  border,  aud  all  consular  service  in 
Canada,  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Paciflc. 
This  would  be  a  largo  saving  to  both  sides. 
The  coast  provinces  could  freely  sell  coal  to 
New  Eugland,and  Pennsylvania  could  supply 
coal  to  Upper  Canada.  The  Manitoba  far- 
mers could  buy  their  Implements  and  supplies 
and  sell  their  crops  In  St.  Paul,  or  where  they 
pleased.  It  \vouid  give  Western  faimers 
free  lumber,  and  would  open  a  wide  market 
for  the  products  of  the  Canadian  forests.  It 
would  secure  to  our  fishermen  rights  to  fish 
on  every  shore  clear  to  the  Pole,  to  buy  bait 
and  everything  else,  and  It  would  give  our 
people  free  fish. 

The  Tariff  would  have  to  bo  the  same,  and 
internal  revenue  taxation  the  same.  In  Canada 
and  the  United  States,  or  there  would  be  in- 
finite fraud  and  disturbance  of  trade.  This, 
would  require  some  changes,  but  not  great 
ones.  The  Canadian  Tariff  Is  now  not  very 
far  from  ours.  It  collects  on  the  total  Import* 
into  Canada  about  10  per  cent,  lower  average 
duty  than  does  ours  on  the  total  imports  into 
thre  United  States.  The  Internal  revenue 
taxes  on  whiskey  and  tobacco  are  now  not^ 
very  different. 


COMMERCIAL    UNIOS   IX  SORTH  AMERICA. 


RecolptH  from  rev«nu<«  inlKlit  fairly  be 
<11vIiI(m1  between  tlie  1  wo  countrieH  aeconlliiK 
to  ])oiiiiIntl(>n.  Tho  into  of  n^veniie  now  eol- 
levt«'<l  by  our  Ooverninent  from  cUHtoinH  riinl 
interuiU  revenue  1h  iiltout  f().07  per  Inliabi 
taiit ;  that  in  Cunailti  Ih  about  i)*S(>().  In  a 
coniinercliil  union,  wltli  a  eoniinou  taritT  untl 
the  b«»r«ler  free,  probably  a  largi'V  P-"  t  .if  the 
importH  of  CantMla  than  at  preHont  would 
enter  1).V  way  of  New  York  and  the  Ne\s 
Enfcl^iiid  portH,  an*l  the  reeelptH  at  Canadian 
portH  would,  of  trouiHe,  e(»rreapondhiKly  fall 
off.  ThlH  would  have  t<)  be  adjuHted  by  piisH- 
injcovera  fair  proportion  of  the  re\e'iu'.i  to 
Ciinada.  All  theHt)  detailH  (ioiitd  hoou  be 
fairly  settled  if  the  matter  were  onco  earnest- 
ly undertaken. 

Who  would  oppose  it?  In  this  eonntry, 
some  Hpecuil  intereHtH  fearinK  Canadian  com- 
petition in  the  tradi  in  logn,  the  supply  of 
flsh,  and  in  barley,  perhaps;  but  with  f^oneral 
dlsousHlon  this  would  be  soon  overcome.  In 
view  of  the  itreat  advanta/itcH  to  be  Kalne<l. 
Within  five  yearn,  it  would  probably  double 
our  saleH  to  Canada,  already  about  $50,000,- 
000  annually.  In  fact,  we  now  export  more 
to  Canada  than  to  all  the  Central  and  8outb 
American  8tatos.  Every  one  would  see  the 
benefits  of  a  wider  market  for  our  manufac- 
turos.  and  an  ampler  supply  of  raw  materials. 
Our  rapidly  dlsappoarlnjf  fv>rests,  wnich  will 
be  all  gone  In  25  years,  at  the  present  rate  of 
destruction,  would  b(i  re-enforced  by  the  vast 
woods  of  Canada. 

Many  of  our  people  distrust  reciprocity 
treaties,  and  changing  revenue  laws  ]»y  illplo- 
maey.  That  is  the  proper  work  of  Coiigro.ss. 
and  of  Congress  alone.  Some  would  fear  that 
a  common  tariff  with  a  foreign  country  would 
make  the  whole  system  unchangeable  in  any 
partlcnlar  wilhoiit  the  consent  of  both,  and 
thus  practically  put  it  beyond  th*»  power  of 
Congress,  where  the  Constitution  puts  it. 
But  wo  can  at  any  time  withdraAv  frt.m  a  com- 
mercial union,  if  it  works  unfairly,  and  no 
power  can  be  taken  from  Congress,  or  be  oven 
limited,  except  by  the  action  of  Consreas 
Itself. 

It  may  be  said  that  the  opposition  of  Eug- 
land  will  be  fatal— that  negotiations  nuist 
be  through  the  British  government,  which 
would  never  consent  to  be  plaued  In  a  less 
favorable  position  than  the  United  States  by 
the  Canadian  tariff.  It  is  not  ('ertain  whether 
she  has  the  power  to  control  the  question,  or 
the  position  to  stubbornly  oppose  the  meas- 
ure. Sir  Alexander  Gait  said.  In  1880  and  at 
other  times,  that  Canada  had  the  whole  power 
over  duties.  The  Marquis  of  Lome.  Govemor- 
General,|fald.  in  1882,  to  the  Canadian  Parlia- 
ment :  "  You  have  the  pow  er  to  make  treaties 
on  your  own  responsibility  with  foreign  na- 
tions;" but  he  added,  "and  your  high  com- 


missioner 1h  associated,  for  purposes  of  nego- 
tiation, w  ith  i\w  Foreign  Uttloe." 

in  fact,  they  have  legislated  as  they  ])lean«d 
touching  the  tarilT  upon  Knglish  as  welt  as 
other  goods.  The  llndtof  their  treaty-making 
power  would  seem  to  exclude  Canada  from 
making  any  tr(>aty  atfeeting  the  Dominion  ns 
a  )>ortlon  of  the  British  Empire.  .Fudging  by 
the  past,  s::.'  by  the  facility  w  ith  which  Eng- 
land has  consented  to  each  step  in  Canadian 
iiuiepeiidence,  it  is  not  likely  that  the  Impi>- 
rial  (ioverni.ient  would  intlexibly  nslst  a 
general  desire  of  the  Camulian  pe(»ple  for  a 
common  tarllT  arrangement  with  the  United 
States. 

In  Canada  it  would  meet  the  active  opjiosi-^ 
tion  of  certain  manufacturing  interests,  who 
would  dread  the  rivalry  of  clu  ajxir  Anu'rh-an 
goods  in  their  line  of  production;  of  all  the 
otUcial  class,  w  ho  would  of  course  sti  iiggle 
hard  to  jireserve  everything  as  it  is;  and  of 
all  those  more  Immediately  under  English  in- 
duenco,  whose  tirst  thought  would  be  tliat 
such  a  ineasurti  would  tend  to  ext^lude  ?^ng- 
lish  goods  by  the  tarilT,  while  admitting  the 
American  free  of  duty;  and  ihey  would,  no 
doubt  very  sincerely,  regard  it  as  almost 
equivalent  to  annexation.  But,  among  the 
Canadian  ])en))le  generally,  tin  discussion  of 
the  proposition  would  strengthen  It  with  the 
great  majority.  The  powerful  mercantile 
class  in  every  town  and  village  would  be  the 
Hrst  to  favor  it,  and  the  farujors  would  soon 
iinderstmd  it.  Perhaps  a  vague  apprehension 
of  animxation  would  be  felt,  but  with  general 
discussion  of  the  subject,  and  its  business 
aspects,  this  would  dit-appear.  They  would 
soon  realiz..  that  our  citizens  are  no  longer 
eager  to  iucor])orate  new  peoples ;  that  they 
refused  the  rich  and  populous  island  of  St. 
Thomas,  and  the  republic  of  San  Domingo,  in 
both  of  which  1 1  people  had  all  voted  for  an- 
nexation ;  that  V-  discourage  and  detest 
tllibustering ;  thu  laska  was  rcductantly 
ace(>pted  after  we  h  A  ourselves  bound  in  a 
compact  with  Rnssin  \ho  had  recently  been 
to  us  a  gf»od  friend  in  the  hour  of  tro'.;S]«. 
Americans  do  ncit  care  to  see  a  dozen  senaiors 
and  forty  memb»n'8  in  Congress  representing 
a  new  population  suddenly  brought  into  the 
Union.  The  Immense  vacant  region  of  good 
lands  in  the  northwest  would  bo  welcome, 
but  it  will  bo  long  betore  we  will  consent  to 
Incorporate  peoples.  The  work  of  assimilat- 
ing the  diverse  elements  we  now  have  is  quite 
enough  for  us. 

In  one  sense,  there  would  be  a  business  an- 
nexation of  ea<ih  nation  by  the  other ;  but  it 
would  be  in  a  harmony  of  interests,  a  growth 
and  development  of  both,  that  would  lead 
both  to  great'iess,  independence  and  peace. 

ROBERT    R.  HITT. 
Waghington,  D.  C ,  April  11. 


CONTINENTAL     FREE    TRADE. 


LETTER  FROM  GOLDWIN  SMITH. 


To  the  Editor  of  Tke  Phila.  American  : 

You  have  done  me  the  honor  to  ask  nie, 
among  others,  to  express  an  opinion  on  the 
subject  of  Commercial  Union,  whlcli  has  at 
last  been  brought  within  the  field  of  practical 
discussion. 

I  have  long  maintained,  for  my  part  that 
continental  Free  Trade,  with  afiillrecipiucity 
of  all  commercial  advantages  and  iirlvile^ies. 
was  the  dictate  of  nature  for  the  Knglish 
speaking  people  of  this  continent,  and  the 
onl7  satisfactory  solution  of  the  fisheries 
question  and  of  all  commercial  questions 
between  Canada  and  the  United  States. 

A  mere  reciprocity  treaty,  sncii  as  we  had 
before,  is  very  difljcult  to  negotiate,  on  ac- 
count of  the  antagonisms  of  interests  and 
parties,  and  when  ronclnd^d  it  has  but  a  pre- 
carious existence,  being  liable  to  be  ovtr- 
turned,  with  the  Industries  built  upon  it,  by 
any  gust  of  international  discord,  such  as 
that  which  was  produced  by  the  Trent  affair. 
Nor  does  it  lelleve  us  of  the  expense,  annoy 
ance,  and  estranging  influence  of  tbecustoias 
line.  Wliat  we  want-is  to  Nerid  of  the  cus- 
toms lino,  so  thnt  capital,  enterprise,  and 
commercial  life  may  circulate  with  perfect 
freedom  through  the  whole  continent.  It  Is 
needless  to  dilate  on  the  benefits  of  such  a 
change.  That  Canada  would  be  a  great  gainer 
few  Canadians;  I  believe,  doubt;  and  com- 
mercial men  in  this  country,  especially  in  the 
^Vestern  States,  seem  to  think  that  the  bene- 
fit would  be  mutual. 

Of  the  fisheries  question  there  appears  to 
be  no  final  and  happy  settlement  but  complete 
participation,  sucn  as  existed  before  the 
American  Revolution  had  «llvlded  the  West- 
ern from  the  Eaot«'n  portion  of  the  great 
Anglo-Saxon  realm.  The  fishermen  being 
rough  men,  and  naturally  Jealous  of  anything 
like  eucroachm-int  on  their  livelihood,  will  be 
apt  to  put  harsh  and  irritating  constructions 
on  any  treaty  regulations  that  you  can  make, 
and  the  trouble  will  be  cciistantly  renewed. 

The  P'TOvinces  of  Canadn,  in  respect  of  their 
commercial  '/nterests,  are  connected,  not  with 
each  other,  but  with  the  States  adjoining  each 
of  Ihem  on  the  South ;  the  Maritime  Provinces 
with  New  England;  Ontmio  and  Quebec  with 
New  York  and  Penusylvanta ;  Manitoba  and 
the  Northwestern  Territories  with  Minnesota 
and  Dakota ;  Brltith  Columbia  with  the  States 


on  the  Pacific  Coast.  The  Maritime  Provinces 
feel  this  keenly,  and  the  (discontent  excited 
by  their  commercial  severance  fron  New 
England  is  laying  a  heavy  strain  on  Canadian 
confederation. 

Conflmercial  union  would  of  course  involve 
assimilation  of  tariffs,  which,  however,  sinca 
the  raising  of  Canadian  Import  duties  has 
brought  the  tariffs  more  nearly  to  a  level, 
would  present  no  insurmountable  obstacle  to 
negotiation  It  would  also  involve  an  assim- 
ilation of  the  liquor  duties,  to  preclude  fraud- 
ulent importation,  but  here  again  no  serious 
diflScvilty  would  be  encountered,  nor  need 
there  be  much  disturbance  of  the  fiscal  sys- 
tem t)u  either  side. 

A  n  attempt  Is  being  made,  as  you  are  aware, 
ip  Canada,  to  force  commercial  prosperity  by 
means  of  a  protective  system.  But  whatever 
may  be  the  results  of  protection  in  the  case  of 
the  United  States,  which  form  a  continent 
producing  almost  everything  in  itself,  for 
Canada,  with  her  uniformly  cold  climate  and 
her  Umitetl  range  of  protection,  the  system  is 
unquestionably  a  failure.  Its  necessary 
effects,  as  Canadians  will  soon  become  con- 
vinced, are  misdirection  of  cap'.ia'  and  indus- 
try, financial  deficit,  dearness  of  living,  and 
consequent  deiwpulation.  In  Manitoba  and 
the  Northwest  especially,  which  are  purely 
agricultural,  and  require  periectly  free  im- 
portation of  implements  and  of  everything 
necessary  for  the  farmer  in  a  newly  settled 
country,  the  pressure  of  die  system  has 
already  been  felt.  Our  Canadian  manufactur- 
ers cannot  hope  long  to  kbep  things  as  they 
ara,  and  they  will  probably  be  led  to  perceive 
that  their  best  chance  of  protection  against 
the  competition  which  they  have  most  reason 
to  dread  lies  in  placing  themselves  under  the 
shelter  of  the  American  tariff.  I  speak  as  one 
who  Is  neither  a  Protectionist  nor  a  purist  of 
Free  Trade,  but  w^ho  recognizes  in  all  fiscal 
matters  the  force  of  specivil  circumstances, 
and  the  necessity  of  dealing  tenderly  Avlth 
established  systems,  and  the  industi.ial  Inter- 
ehts  which  have  been  built  upon  them. 

Tlie  unnatural  character  of  tlie  commercial 
division  between  the  Dominion  and  th«  United 
States  leads  already  to  a  great  deal  of  smug- 
gling. When  the  Canadian  North-wost  fills 
up,  It  will  hardly  oe  possible  to  maintain  a 
protective  tariff,  to  which  the  border  pupula- 


I 


COMMERCIAL    UNION  IN  NORTH  AMERICA. 


d 


tion   is  opposed,  along  an  open  frontier  of 
•eight  huir.dretl  miles. 

Opposition  on  the  part  of  Great  Britain  to  a 
commercial  union  of  tliis  continent  is  not  to 
1)6  apprehended.  Sir  John  Macdcnald,  by  his 
"  National  Policy,"  has  already  talien  Canada 
completely  out  of  the  commercial  unity  of  tlie 
Empire,  and  he  lias  proclaimed  fiscal  homo 
rule  for  Canada  in  the  most  emphatic  terms. 
Tlie  British  people  are  aware  ot  this ;  and  i  j 
flpite  of  the  curious  fever-flt  of  Imperial  Fed- 
eralism which  is  passing  over  some  of  them, 
the  mass  of  them  have  a  growing  conviction 
that  they  have  no  interest  in  intertering 
with  affairs  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic.  Only 
speak  them  fair,  instead  of  bullying  or  de- 
nouncing them,  and  you  will  find  no  difficulty 
on  their  side. 

Canadian  politicians.  Jealous  for  the  inte- 
grity of  their  separate  spliere,  are  apt  to  look 
askance  at  commercial  union,  becauae  tluy 


fear  that  it  may  bring  political  annexation  in 
its  train.  But  if  the  two  sections  of  the 
English-speaking  population  of  this  continent 
ever  unite.  It  will  be  because  in  race,  language 
rehgion,  and  institutions  they  are  one  people, 
not  because  a  customs  line  which  ran  between 
them  has  been  removed.  Take  away  every 
cu8t<mi-hou8e  on  the  Pyrenees,  and  tliere  will 
be  no  tendency  to  a  union  of  France  witli 
Spain.  The  Zoll  verein  would  have  done  little 
towards  the  uniflcation  of  Germany  without 
unifying  agencies  of  a  far  more  potent  kind. 
Of  any  wish  to  aggress  upon  Canadian  inde- 
pendence I  have  never,  in  all  my  intercourse, 
Avith  Americans,  perceived  the  slightest  in- 
dication. Canada,  when  the  customs  line 
which  strangles  her  commerce  has  been  abol- 
ished, will  be  still  the  mistress  of  her  own 
political  destinies.  No  community  which  is 
really  a  nation  can  desire  more. 

GOLDWIN  SMITH. 


THE   WAY    OUT   OF 

THE    CANADIAN    DIFFICULTY. 


Editorial  from  the  "  Philadelphia  American." 


The  BritlBli  Government  has  forwarded  to 
Waohiugton  a  propoHal  fo."  tlie  settlement  of 
oar  dispute  with  Canada,  which  it  hopes  will 
help  to  more  amicable  relations  between  the 
Dominion  and  the  United  States.  It  lias  the 
more  hope  of  this  as  it  docjs  not  approach  the 
question  on  the  ground  of  mere  technicalities, 
as  tlie  ( »ttawa  government  has  done.  It  does 
not  support  Canada  in  the  detei  mination  to 
exact  the  pound  of  flesh  which  the  treaty  of 
1818  seems  to  call  for.  It  recognizes  the  fact 
that  within  tlie  seventy  years  which  have 
elapt-ed  since  that  treaty  was  ma<le,  the  whole 
atmosphere  of  international  law  has  changed 
to  one  of  courtesy  and  ampler  liberty,  and 
that  tlie  United  Stat/cs  holds  a  very  different 
place  in  the  commerce  and  diplomacies  of  the 
world.  We  are  sorry  to  be  obligwl  to  say  tliat 
the  diplomacy  of  Ottawa  has  been  too  mucli 
in  tlie  temper  of  the  proverbial  "country 
attorney."  We  are  not  surprised  that  Lon. 
d(in  thinks  proper  to  take  a  different  attitude 
toward  the  case. 

It  is,  however,  true  that  a  settlement  of  the 
dispute  by  English  interference,  and  in  con- 
travention of  the  ideas  of  Canada  as  to  her 
own  Interests,  however  reasonable  in  itself, 
it  is  not  to  our  liking  as  Americans.  It  seems 
to  us  that  the  two  chief  powers  of  the  Western 
world,  the  foremost  lepresenl atives of  its  civi- 
lization, ought  to  be  able  to  come  to  an  under- 
standing without  this  intervention  frcmi  an. 
other  continent  and  from  a  power  substantial, 
ly  alien  to  both  in  its  interests  and  Its  ideas 
of  policy.  It  is  not  in  harmony  with  the  spirit 
of  the  Monroe  Doctrine,  however  little  It  may 
run  counter  to  its  letter.  Canada  cannot  but 
fetil  with  some  bitterness,  that  English  inter- 
vention necessarily  takes  character  from  the 
views  of  British  interests,  which  areaccepted 
l)y  the  government  for  the  time  in  power  in 
London,  and  feel  that— as  In  the  Fortune  Bay 
case— whether  the  decision  be  Just  or  unjust, 
it  will  have  the  air  of  an  offence  toward 
her.  '  *  cannot  but  be  in  harmouy  with  her 
feelii)  H,  if  Americans  were  to  look  past  these 
Eog!  U  p^opo^Sll8.  and  seek  some  modus  vi- 
vem,  which  would  be  acceptable  to  her.  and 
promotive  of  her  interests  aa  an  American 
power. 

Two  arrangements  have  been  tested,  and 
we  are  on  the  eve  of  tr^  ing  a  third,  none  of 
which  can  be  pronounced  successful.  Re- 
ciprocity with   the   United  States  was  an 


entire  failure,  because  it  neither  secured  anj-- 
agreement  in  tlie  policy  of  the  two  countries, 
nor  arranged  for  any  fresh  adaptation  in  ca8»> 
one  of  them  changed  its  policy.  The  arrange- 
ment, which  was  not  unfair  in  18.54.  became 
grossly  so  before  1867.  The  settlement 
effected  by  the  Treaty  of  Washington  was 
found  equally  oppressive  to  American  inter, 
ests,  and  although  we  had  paid  heavily  for 
our  share  of  the  bargain,  it  was  we  who 
terminated  it  at  the  earliest  moment,  and 
Canada  who  desired  its  continuance.  The 
policy  of  irritating  restrictions  wliiuh  Canada 
has  begun,  and  which  tho  United  Statss 
probably  will  adopt  by  way  of  retaliation, 
cannot  be  regarded  as  either  normal  or  de- 
iSirable  between  countries  so  closely  associ 
ated  in  neighborhood,  in  the  community  of  so 
many  interests.  All  these  have  failed,  or  will 
fail ;  and  it  remains  to  seek  some  other  which 
will  be  better  adapted  to  the  interests  of  both 
countries,  and  calculated  to  put  an  end  to  the 
irritating  frictions  which  have  attended  all 
tne.se. 

The  plain  common  sense  of  the  situation 
.seems  to  us  to  point  to  a  policy  exactly  the 
rcA-erse  of  the  policy  of  restriction  of  inter- 
course. We  aie  two  nations  very  similarly 
circumstanced.  Both  are  made  up  of  men 
who  are  building  up  in  the  new  world  social 
structures  based  on  all  that  is  best  in  the 
civilization  of  the  old.  Both  have  much  the 
same  national  resources,  the  same  capacity 
as  producers,  the  same  wants  as  consumers. 
Both  have  been  obliged  to  find,  in  the  protec- 
tive policy,  the  means  to  develop  an  indus- 
trial system  suited  to  the  demands  of  their 
natural  situation.  Neither  is  content  to  make 
shift  with  agricultural,  cattle  raising,  and 
the  scanty  manufactures  which  could  not  but 
come  without  collective  action  In  the  foster- 
ing of  other  industries.  1  n  language,  in  faith, 
in  culture,  in  governmental  methods,  the  twO' 
coutiles  more  closely  resemble  each  other 
than  either  resembles  any  other  In  either  the 
old  or  the  new  world. 

Why,  then,  not  establish  absolute  freedom 
of  commei'cial  intercourse  between  them,  and 
abolish  the  costly  line  of  commercial  demar- 
cation, wltlch  at  present  sunders  them  f  The- 
only  obstacle  to  such  a  plan  is  the  difference 
in  the  tariffs  of  the  two  countries.  But  this, 
difference  la  much  diminished  by  the  revision 
of  our  tariff  in  1883,  following  the  adoption 


COMMERCIAL    VNION  IX  NORTH  AMERICA. 


ir 


of  Protection  by  Canada  In  1879.  To  etfect 
the  eHtablinlinient  of  agreement  on  this  point 
there  wonlrt  be  no  need  of  any  formal  treaty 
through  ^'le  intervention  of  English  dlpl'-- 
macy.  All  that  would  be  necessary  would  be 
the  assimilation  of  both  tariffs  to  an  agree- 
ment reached  by  a  commission  of  coiuerenie, 
togetlier  with  the  removal  of  all  duties  from 
articles  which  cross  the  common  frontier  in 
eltbor  direction.  This  would  carry  with  It 
the  perfect  equalization  of  the  status  of  tlie 
fishermen  of  both  nationalities,  both  on  the 
llshin^-bankH,  and  In  our  ports  and  markets. 

It  win  be  objected  that  this  arrangement 
will  sacritlce  the  Interests  of  certain  classes 
In  both  countries.  Let  us  look  at  the.se 
seveially. 

The  fishermen  of  Canada  and  of  the  United 
States  will  be  left  free  to  compete  with  each 
otlier  for  the  American  market,  on  terms 
equally  favorable  to  both.  Our  fishermen 
will  secure  access  to  the  Inshore  fisheries, 
the  right  to  puichase  bait,  the  light  to  land 
and  dry  their  fish,  the  right  to  forward  fresh 
fish  to  American  markets  by  rail.  There  will 
be  an  end  to  the  bounties  to  Canadian  fisher- 
men paid  by  the  Dominion  Government.  At 
the  same  time  the  Canadian  fishermen  will 
obtain  the  right  to  send  their  fish  to  our 
mai'kets  free  of  duty.  The  position  of  the  two 
classes  will  be  equalized  as  never  before,  and 
the  questions  now  in  dispute  simply  will  dis- 
appear. Under  the  terms  of  equality  chus 
established,  and  never  before  enjoyed  by  our 
fishermen,  the  hardy  sons  of  New  England 
will  bold  their  own,  and  do  their  share  in 
building  up  that  Industry  to  which  we  look 
for  oiir  supply  of  trained  seamen. 

It  le  alleged  that  our  lumber  interest  will 
be  saoiiflced  by  the  frte  Importation  of  Cana- 
dian boards  and  planks.  But  we  already  Im- 
port saw-logs  free  of  duty ;  and  our  supply 
of  many  sorts  of  t'mber  is  so  e-;han8ted  that 
we  should  gain  by  a  greater  facility  to  draw 
on  the  ample  Canadian  supply.  On  the  tribu- 
taries of  ihe  St.  Lawreuce  aie  great  forests 
of  fine  timber  which  It  no-.v  hardlj'  pays  to 
have  taken  to  the  United  States,  because  of 


the  much  heavier  cost  of  sending  <^aw-log8 
than  sawetl  lumber.  We  must  look  at  this  . 
queKtIon  of  the  lumber  supply  broadly,  Ir* 
view  of  the  national  needs,  and  not  simply 
with  reference  to  this  private  Interest.  Lum- 
ber Is  a  thing  by  Itself.  Ita  slow  growth 
makes  it  a  very 'different  thing  from  a  wheat 
01'  corn  crop ;  the  uses  of  trees  in  relation  to 
the  rain  supply  make  a  limited  production  o'f 
lumber  a  benefit  rather  than  a  loss.  And  the- 
plant  of  the  Industry  is  neither  too  bulky  nor 
too  coiitly  to  prevent  Its  transfer  by  its  own- 
ers to  the  Ottawa. 

On  the  Canadian  side  it  is  alleged  that  the  . 
new  manufacturing  industries  of  the  Domin- 
ion will  be  hurt  by  the  competition  of  those 
longer  established  on  our  side  of  the  border. 
Will  they  be  more  In  danger  of  such  competi- 
tion than  are  the  newer  manufactories  of  our 
own  South  and  West?  The  truth  Is  that  in  a 
growing  continent  like  ours,  with  fresh  popu- 
lation pouring  in  from  the  old  world,  markets 
are  expanding  whenever  industries  are  in  a 
normal  condition.  There  always  is  room  for 
tlie  newer  establishments  in  such  a  country. 
If  they  be  not  exposed  to  the  crushing  com-, 
petition  of  the  overdone  Industries  of  the  old. 
And  the  Canadian  Industries  have  some  Im- 
portant advantages  in  the  possession  of  the 
great  water-power  of  the  St.  Lawrence  and 
the  present  cheapness  of  labor,  which  will 
enable  them  at  least  to  hold  their  own  against 
any  competiiiou  they  would  have  to  encounter 
from  us. 

The  establishment  of  sucl.  au  .irrangement 
would  have  an  additional  advantasro  to  the 
priilected  industries  of  both  countries,  in  that 
It  would  Impart  a  permanence  to  the  pro- 
tective polity  in  both  which  it  does  not  now 
possess.  For  the  sake  of  this  fi  eedom  of  na- 
tional Intercourse  the  people  of  both  would 
stand  by  Protection,  as  Its  abandonment,  un- 
less simultaneous  In  both,  would  Involve  the 
le-establishment  of  the  custom-house  line-a 
line  which  now  sunders  our  continent,  Inter- 
cepts natural  intercourse,  and  breeds  dis- 
agreements between  the  two  great  Anglo-- 
Saxon nationalities  of  the  New  World. 


COMMERCIAL    UNION 

BETWEEN  THE 

UNITED    STATES    AND    CANADA. 


LETTER  FROM  THE  HON.  J.  W.  LONGLEY, 

ATTORNEY-GENERAL  OB  NOVA  SCOTIA. 


"Dear  Sir: 

The  proposition  to  take  «lown  the  custom 
houses  hetween  the  Uulted  States  and  Canada, 
and  provide  for  a  common  tariff  against  the 
rest  of  the  world,  is  the  most  wide-reaching 
and  important  political  matter  now  demand- 
ing tlie  consideration  of  the  ureat  English- 
speDking  communities  of  Nortli  America.  It 
is  momentous,  not  alone  on  account  of  the 
commercial  difficulties  it  would  overcome, 
and  the  commercial  advantages  it  would  se 
cure  to  the  people  of  both  countries,  but  not 
less  for  its  inevitable  consequences  upon  the 
social  and  political  relations  between  the  two 
peoples,  between  the  Empire  and  the  Great 
Republic  which  has  grown  up  in  America. 

Viewed  from  a  Canadian  8tandpoint,it  seems 
the  complement  necessary  to  the  commercial 
existence  and  prosperity  of  tlie  Dominion. 
However  warm  the  political  sympathies  may 
be  between  the  several  provinces  of  the  Do- 
minion—and there  is  a  question  about  that— 
no  one  can  honestly  say  that  there  is  any 
natural  commercial  relationship  between 
them.  Between  the  Maritime  Provinces  and 
Ontario  there  is  but  little  trade,  and  that  lit- 
tle is,  for  tlie  most  part,  aitiflcial  and  profit- 
less. Between  Ontario  ani  Manitoba  there 
is  some  trade,  but  the  latter  province  would 
prefer  to  trade  with  the  St  ites  and  Territories 
to  the  south  of  it.  Between  British  Columbia 
and  the  rest  of  the' Dominion  there  is  scarcely 
any  natural  trade  at  all. 

On  the  other  hand,  betwepu  the  Maritime 
Provinces  and  the  New  England  States  there 
is  the  most  natiiral  and  intimate  commercial 
relationship,  which  no  hostile  barriers  have 
been  ablo  to  destroy.  Between  Ontario  and 
the  great  States  of  New  York,  Pennsylvania, 
Ohio,  Illinoi'  and  Michigan,  there  is  a  stead.v, 
active,  and  valuable  trade.  Between  Manitoba 
and  the  Northwest,  and  MinnesotA,  Dakota 
-and  Montana,  is  the  natural  course  of  trade  ; 
Avhile  British  ColuBibla  flnds  its. complement 
In  California  and  Oregon.  An  examination  of 
a  large  map  of  Nortli  America  will  reveal  the 
wliole  situation  at  a  glance. 


Why  this  customs  line,  extending  all  the 
way  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  should 
exist,  is  a  problem  for  some  ingenious  intellect 
to  solve.  If  it  is  a  good  thing  to  have  custom 
houses  dividing  territories,  then  it  would  be 
the  correct  policy  to  intersect  Ontario  with  a 
customs  line,  and  to  guard  Cincinnati  from 
the  dangerous  competition  of  Cleveland  by  a 
customs  line  between  Northern  and  Southern 
Ohio.  If  the  people  of  the  United  States  were 
Turks  or  Chinese,  there  might  be  a  reason  foi 
wishing  to  discourage  intimate  intercourse. 
If  the  inhabitants  of  Canada  were  Indians  or 
Patagonians,^  then  the  United  States  might 
be  indiflferent  In  regard  to  all  kinds  of  rela- 
tionship. But,  when  it  is  considered  that  the 
people  of  the  two  countiies  are  identical  in 
race,  language,  laws  and  institutions,  then 
these  barriers  indeed  seem  absurd  and  unac- 
countable. 

But  there  are  difficulties,  and  these  can  only 
be  overcome  by  matnal  forbearance  and  con- 
cession .  The  average  American,  confident  of 
the  position  of  his  country,  views  the  matter 
with  indiflFerence,  and  is  disposed  to  treat 
Canada  with  contempt.  Recognizing  that  the 
trade  of  the  United  States  is  yearly  becoming 
more  valuable  and  important  ;to  Canada  than 
the  trade  of  Great  Britain,  the  ordinary  Am- 
erican cannot  understand  why  Canada  should 
not  at  once  bow  down  before  her  great  neigh- 
bor and  make  terms.  But  the  man  who  elim- 
inates sentiment  as  a  factor  in  making  his 
calctilations  in  regard  to  communities  of  men 
is  sure  to  reach  erroneous  results.  Sensible 
Canadians  realize  plainly  enough  that  unre- 
stricted trade  with  the  United  States  would 
be  of  immense  value,  and  they  a/i^  anxious  to 
secure  it.  But  let  it  not  be  foigott«n  that 
Canada  is  a  part  of  the  British  Empire,  (ind 
the  Canacl'an  people  are  loyal  to  Biitlsli  in- 
terests, not  in  a  sense  of  toadyism,  but  in  a 
Just  sense  of  mutual  obligation.  Great  Britain 
has  always  dealt  fairly  with  Canada,  and  the 
people  of  Canada,  if  t'ley  are  worthy  of  the 
race  from  which  they  sprang,  will  deal 
squarely  with  Great  Britain.    It  is  quite  pos- 


COMMERCIAL    U^ION  IN  NORTH  AMERICA. 


13^ 


Hible,  at  no  distant  date,  a  point  may  be 
readied  when  tlie  Interests  of  Canada  and  the 
interests  of  tlie  Empire  will  begin  to  senarate, 
and  the  two  countries  will  puruue  their  caretir 
along  divergent  paths;  bnt  the  feelings  of 
mutual  regard  and  attachment,  It  is  to  be 
lioped,  will  never  bo  extinguished. 

The  people  of  the  United  8tat«s  r^ust  ap- 
proach the  peopio  of  Canada  on  this  qnestion, 
not  with  the  expectation  that  the  latter  are 
going,  for  the  mere  sake  of  commercial  ad- 
vantage, to  throw  the  interests  of  the  Empire 
aside,  and  Join  their  interests  with  those  of  the 
great  nation  on  their  own  continent;  bnt, 
rather,  that  in  a  closer  relationsliip  between 
the  two  great  countiies  of  North  America 
there  may  be  a  growth  of  that  spirit  of  mu- 
tual regard  between  the  United  States  and 
Great  Britain  which,  during  the  past  twenty 
years,  has  been  so  happily  developing.  I  do 
not  believe  that  Great  Britain  will  Interiiose 
any  oloitaclo  to  a  Commercial  Union  between 
the  Ui.  ted  States  and  Canada,  if  the  Canadian 
people  give  unmistakable  evidence  of  a  desire 


for  It.   The  more  intimate  and  cordial  the  rela- 
tions between  Canada  and  the  Unittnl  Statec,. 
the  more  lapldly  wi?l  all  indications  of  ill  will 
between  the  Brldsta   and  American  people- 
disappear. 

I  have  JuHt  had  time  to  express  a  strong 
sense  of  the  value  and  importance  of  a  Com- 
mercial Union,  and  to  hint  at  the  spirit  in 
which  the  United  States- from  wliom  sucli'a 
proposition  must  emanate— should  approach 
It.  The  passing  of  Mr.  Butterworth's  pro- 
posed meattiiro  by  the  Americaii  Congress 
will,  in  my  Judgement,  be  an  enormous  step  in 
the  accomplishment  of  this  grt>at  object.  The- 
tempest  in  a  teapot,  over  the  wretclied  fisher- 
ies dispute,  is  unworthy  of  great  and  enlight- 
ened  communities.  Let  us  forget  all  about 
the  herring  and  the  codfish,  and  take  a  great 
step  in  the  direction  of  natural  trade,  inter- 
national comity,  and  the  ultimate  reunion  of 
the  English-speaking  race. 


J.  W.  LONOLEY. 


Halifax,  March  28, 1887. 


MEMORANDUM  CONCERNING  CANADA. 


FROM  WHARTON  BARKER,  ESQ., 

— TO— 

HON.  WK.   M.  EVARTS,  SENATOR  OF  THE  I^^ITED  STATES. 


Philadelphia,  January  5th,  1886. 

TLe  expiry  of  the  settlement  of  the  FIsli- 
*eiieb  Question,  which  was  furnished  by  the 
Treaty  of  Washington,  re-opens  the  still 
larger  question  of  our  commercial  relations 
with  the  Dominion  of  Canada.  President 
Cleveland  has  intimated  his  sympathy  with 
the  Tiew  that  a  closer  connection  with  our 
neighbor  on  the  North  would  be  to  the  ad- 
vantage of  both  countries;  and  there  is  the 
usual  pressure  from  New  England  and  north- 
ern New  York  for  a  revival  of  Reciprocity. 

The  general  objections  to  treaties  of  re- 
•«iprocity,  which  Mr.  Cleveland's  message  his 
laid  before  Congress,  apply  with  as  much 
force  to  the  case  of  Canada  as  to  any  others. 
There  Is  one  other  and  still  greater  objection 
in  this  case,  that  such  a  treaty  w  ith  Canada 
■would  not  relieve  us  from  the  necessity  of 
maintaining  along  our  Northern  froutiev  a 
custom  house  line,  whose  gro^f  ing  costliness 
would  be  equalled  only  by  its  pennanent  in- 
•«(Bciency.  And,  as  our  last  bargain  of  this 
kind  with  Canada  showed,  the  establishment 
of  Reciprocity  is  attended  with  constant  and 
annoying  di^putes  as  to  which  party  had  got 
the  better  ot  the  other,  and  which  was  carry- 
ing out  its  terms  with  the  greater  houesty. 

The  time  seems  ripe  for  a  bolder  and  more 
statesmanlike  arrangement  with  our  neigh- 
•bors  ou  the  North.  For  seven  years  past  they 
have  been  following  our  example  in  protect- 
ing their  home  industries  ngaiuht  foreign 
competition.  This  policy  has  had  a  large 
measure  of  success,  aud  Canada  is  to-day 
more  confirmed  in  Its  attachment  to  its  Na- 
tional Policy,  as  it  well  calls  it,  than  at  the 
first.    But  there  has  been  a  limit  to  its  suc- 

"Cess,  which  might  Imve  been  foreseen  from  the 
first.  The  population  of  the  Dominion  is  less 
than  five  million  people,  and  these  are  divided 
by  natural  obstructions  into  groups,  which 
Lave  but  little  natural  commerce  with  each 

-other,  while  they  would  have  much  with  the 

-adjacent  American  States,  if  they  were  not 
sundered  by  political  boundaries.  Tlie  largest 
group-  that  in  the  two  old  Canadian  provinces 
—numbered  two  million  eight  hundred  thons- 

-and  people  In  1881.  The  development  of  a 
vigorous  manufactitring  oystem  under  such 

•conditions  is  almost  impossible;  the  market 


accessible  is  too  small  for  the  existence  of 
large  and  competing  establishments,  excej>t 
in  the  ca.se  of  few  industries.  For  this  reason 
the  Protectionists  of  Canada  ha\e  had  to  be 
content  with  statistical  exhibits  of  the  suc- 
cess of  their  poli<'y  in  opening  new  channels 
of  employment,  wlilcli  are  far  from  what  conld 
be  desired.  With  this  cxperleuco  ')ehlnd 
them,  there  is  every  rea.on  to  believe  that 
they  are  ready  to  consider  a  proposition  to 
extend  tlioso  rnarkets,  by  becoming  a  pai  t  of 
our  industHal  area,  and  through  the  entire 
abolition  of  restraints  upon  commerce  be- 
tween tlie  two  nations. 

A  Commercial  Union  with  Canada,  such  as 
is  here  i»rcposed  as  preferable  to  reciprocity, 
would  be  established  on  the  footing  of  a  com- 
mon tarill'fdr  both  countries,  aud  tlie  distri- 
bution of  the  receipts  from  customs  on  the 
basis  of  population,  or  ou  some  other  basis 
that  might  be  thought  more  equitable.  As 
the  present  Canadian  tariff  contains  many 
duties  "for  revenue  only,"  its  assimilation  to 
our  own  would  be  attended  by  some  loss  of 
revenue  to  Canada ;  and  it  would  not  be  un- 
fair to  guarantee  her  a  sum  equal  to  her 
pieseut  receipts  for  a  number  of  ytars.  By 
this  arrangement  the  custom-houses  of  both 
countries  would  be  along  the  Atlantic  coast 
alone,  and  each  group  of  the  Canadian  prov- 
inces would  interchange  its  products  with 
the  adjacent  group  of  American  States,  as 
fi-eely  as  though  all  were  parts  of  the  same 
country.  In  a  word,  it  would  etfect  Just  s  JCh 
a  fiscal  revolution  as  iu  1789  changed  the 
thiiteen  American  States  from  a  number  of 
Isolated  industrial  communities,  into  a  coun- 
try connected  by  mutual  services  and  benflts. 

On  the  Canadian  side  of  the  line  such  an 
arrangement  is  distrusted  by  some,  as  a  fore- 
ruuner  of  what  they  are  pleased  to  call  annex- 
ation. Within  the  last  twenty  years  the 
American  people  have  given  the  world  assur- 
ance enough  that  they  are  amply  satisfied 
with  the  area  Providence  has  assigned  thorn, 
and  that  they  find  the  problems  they  havo 
already  on  their  hands  quite  enough  to  tax 
their  energies,  without  increasing  them  by 
adopting  those  of  their  neighbors.  Canada 
has  neither  that  homogenity  with  our  own 
people,  nor  that  internal  concord,  which  make 


COMMERCIAL    UNION  IN  NORTE  AMERICA. 


15 


such  an 
,8  a  fore- 
1  annex- 
ars  the 
d  aasur- 
atisUetl 
Mi  tliam, 
y  have 
to  tar 
hem  by 
Canada 
ur  own 
:h  make 


the  proposition  of  her  addition  to  ns  an  attrac- 
tive one.  We  have  every  reason  for  wishing 
well  to  her ;  none  at  all  for  deslriiig  to  absorb 
her.  And  the  notion  that  conittierclal  union 
Involves  political  absorption,  wliere  the  peo- 
ple concerned  are  not  politically  homogenous, 
is  fully  refuted  by  the  example  of  England 
and  Ireland. 

No  Amer'ran  Interest  would  be  adversely 
Affected  by  this  arrangement,  while  those  of 
Canada  would  be  greatly  benefited.  It  is  true 
that  we  M'ouM  beg'n  to  draw  more  freely 
upon  the  forests  of  the  Dominion  for  our  sup- 
ply of  lumber,  and  that  some  opposition  may, 
therefore,  be  expected  from  the  lumber  inter- 
ests of  Michigan.  But  in  this  matter  it  be- 
hooves us  to  have  respect  to  larger  national 
interests  than  those  of  the  lumbermen.  Our 
forests  are  rapidly  disappearing  before  the 
tlemand  for  railroad-ties  and  other  forms  of 
lumber,  and  any  arrangement  that  would 
check  the  drafts  upon  theniwould  be  anational 
benefit.  The  present  duty  on  all  lumber,  but 
saw-logs,  is  a  premium  on  the  extinction  of 
our  American  forests,  whose  removal  would 
be  a  measure  of  national  protection.  Canada 
has  enoitgh  and  to  spare  for  our  use,  and  a 
drain  whjch  only  Implies  the  opening  of  her 
area  to  agriculture,  means  the  detriment  of 
ours  through  the  disturbance  of  the  rain  sup- 
ply over  a  large  part  of  our  area. 

The  Commercial  union  of  the  two  countries 
would  furnish  the  best  possible  solution  of  the 
ttsheriea  question— that  perennial  puzzle  of 
our  diplomats.  We  should  i)ay  no  price  for 
the  use  of  her  flshing-grounds,  and  lay  no  re- 
strictions on  the  importation  of  her  tlsh.  Our 
fishermen  would  have  the  same  advantages 
and  facilitlea  of  all  kinds  as  her  own ;  and 
the  endless  tangle  of  questions  and  disputes 
would  disappear  as  completely  as  though  we 
were  the  owners  of  the  St.  Lawrence  Qulf. 

The  admission  of  Canadian  shipping  to  our 
coasting  trade  would  be  a  natural  and.  per- 
haps, a  necessary  feature  of  the  arrangement. 
The  people  of  the  seaboard  provinces,  like 
those  of  our  New  England  States,  take  to  the 
seafaring  life  much  more  readily  than  do  the 
inhabitants  of  our  more  soxithern  coast.  If 
once  we  were  to  adopt  tliem  heartily  into  our 
mercantile  marine,  we  might  look  to  them  for 
the  permanent  and  ample  rjupply  of  shipping 
for  our  coastwise  trade,  and  for  that  trade 
>vlth  the  West  Indies,  which  is  now' trans- 


acted so  largely  In  European  bottoms.  Our 
dependence  upon  Norwegian  or  Italian  ves- 
sels for  such  a  stn-A-ice  as  this  'vould  come  to 
an  end  with  th»^  removal  of  the  line  of  custom- 
house demarcation,  which  sundi  im  us  in  the 
sea,  as  well  as  on  the  land,  from  our  nearest 
American  neighbors. 

The  relations  of  labor  would  not  be  modified 
by  the  new  arrangement  <^xcept  so  far  as  the 
IncreaitHl  itrosperity  of  C.mada  would  put  a 
check  to  the  immigiation  of  her  French  peo- 
ple into  the  United  States.  At  present  the 
existence  of  a  great  supply  of  underpaid  and 
unemployed  laboi-  across  the  border,  works  as 
badly  for  our  worknum,  as  does  the  influx  of 
Irish  labor  into  Great  Britain  for  the  Biitlsh 
workman.  It  is  In  the  intercuts  of  American 
labor  that  we  should  level  up  Canadian  con- 
ditions by  an  industrial  assimilation  of  the 
two  countries,  since  there  is  no  means  of  ex- 
cluding the  Canadian  workman  from  our 
country,  if  any  such  were  desirable.  Already 
much  has  been  done  by  the  protective  policy 
of  Canada;  but  the  same  causes  which  have 
kept  that  from  being  a  perfect  success,  have 
also  operated  to  prevent  Canadian  wages  and 
opportunities  of  employment  from  equalling 
ours. 

Our  task  and  that  of  the  Canadians  is  the 
same.  We  are  both  engaged  In  tlie  work  of 
converting  a  great  continent  into  a  continent 
of  civilization,  freedom,  and  Christian  faitli. 
They  are  the  only  co-workers  with  us  wltli 
whom  we  can  feel  the  closest  sympathy,  for 
our  neighbors  southw.ard  are  separated  from 
us  by  barriers  higher  and  more  impassable 
than  those  of  politl<;al  division.  If  for  a  time 
Canada  seemed  to  be  drawn  by  attraction  to 
an  un-American  ideal  of  her  position,  and  to 
cherish  political  and  industrial  dependence 
upon  Europe,  that  time  has  passed  away. 
Every  recent  movement  in  her  history  )ias 
brought  us  into  more  intimate  agreement  as 
to  the  goal  of  our  common  endeavor,  and  the 
means  by  which  io  is  to  be  attained.  The 
time  seems  to  have  come  for  removing  the 
last  barrier  to  the  closest  fellowship  in  the 
administi'ation  of  our  common  heritage  of  re- 
sources and  capacities. 

For  these  reasons,  the  appointment  of  a 
Joint  commission  to  open  this  question  with 
the  Canadian  government,  at  the  earliest  date 
possible,  is  urgently  desired  by  many  of  the 
people  of  both  countries. 


RESOLUTIONS 

—OF   THE— 

NATIONAL    BOARD    OF    TRADE. 


ST.  LOUIS  SESSION,  1871. 


Mr.  Plumer,  of  Boston  :  On  behalf  of  the  Committee  appointed  to  confer 
with  the  Delegates  from  the  Dominion  Board  of  Trade,  I  beg  to  submit  as. 
their  report  the  following  resolution,  unanimously  recommended  by  them 
to  the  Board  for  its  adoption : — 

Resolved,  That  the  Executive  Council  be  directed  to  memorialize  Congress, 
t  >  provide,  by  law,  for  the  appointment  ot  a  Commission  to  meet  Commis- 
sioners from  the  Dominion  of  Canada — should  the  Dominion  Government 
appoint  a  like  Commission — to  negotiate  a  basis  of  a  treaty  between  Great 
Britain  and  the  United  States  for  commercial  relations  with  the  Dominion 
of  Canada  upon  the  following,  or  some  other  broad  and  comprehensive 
principles : 

1st.  The  introduction  of  all  manufactures  and  products  of  the  United 
States  into  the  Dominion  of  Canada,  free  of  import  daty,  and  the  like 
concession  by  the  United  States  to  the  manufactures  and  jjroducts  of  the 
Dominion. 

2d.  Uniform  laws  to  be  jiassed  by  both  countries  for  the  imposition  of 
dtities  on  imports,  and  for  internal  taxation ;  the  sums  collected  from  these 
sources  to  be  placed  in  a  common  treasury,  and  to  be  divided  between  the 
two  countries  by  a  per  capita,  or  some  other  equally  fair  ratio. 

3d.  The  admission  of  Dominion  built  ships  and  vessels  to  American 
registry,  enrollment,  and  license,  and  to  all  the  privileges  of  the  coasting 
and  foreign  trade. 

4th.  The  Dominion  to  enlarge  its  canals  and  improve  the  navigation  of 
the  St.  Lawrence,  and  to  aid  in  the  building  of  any  great  lines  of  inter- 
national railroad,  and  to  place  the  citizens  of  the  United  States  in  the  same 
position  as  to  the  use  of  such  works  as  enjoyed  by  the  citizens  of  the 
Dominion,  the  United  States,  and  the  several  States,  giving  the  citizens  of 
the  Dominion  the  same  rights  and  privileges  over  works  of  the  same 
character  in  the  United  States. 

Oh  motion  of  Mr.  Plumer,  the  report  was  taken  up  for  consideration,  and 
the  resolution  was  adopted  nnanimously. 


FROM    A 


UNITED  STATES  POINT  OF  VIEW. 


)E. 


MR.  WIMAN  BEFORE  THE  NEW  YORK  BOARD  OF  TRADE. 


[  to  confer 
submit  as. 
I  by  them 

)  Congress, 
t  Coramis- 
jvernment 
reen  Great 
Dominion 
prehensivfr 

he  United 
the  like 
cts  of  the 

(osition  of 
From  these 
It  ween  the 

I  American 
coasting 

ligation  of 
of  inter- 
the  same 

Ins  of  the 

pitizens  of 
Ithe  same 

ition,  and 


New  Youk,  February  23. — The  following?  speech  was  delivered  by  the 
President  of  tlio  Canadian  Club  btiforcs  the  New  York  Board  of  Trade  and 
Transportation  at  the  Hotel  IJrunswick : — 


BWEEl'INO  AWAV  COMi     IICIAL  UAKUIKUS. 

Mr.  WiMAN  Hald  that  the  poHslblUtit's  aris- 
ing out  of  tlio  freest  commercial  relatioiiH  be- 
tween the  Uiilte;l  States  and  Canada  were 
worthy  of  the  hlKhost  consideration.  A 
period  in  tlie  litetory  of  the  two  conntricH  had 
been  reiiched  when  it  was  possible  that  all  tl»o 
commercial  barriers  between  tliem  conld  be 
swept  away.  The  time  had  come,  the  speaker 
believed,  when  it  was  feasible  tliat  the  com- 
merce of  tlie  United  States  could  pervade  the 
wliole  northern  continent,  and  that,  without 
let  or  hindrance,  the  development  of  tlie 
North- West,  wlilch  had  been  so  marvellous, 
and  whicii,  so  far  as  tlie  United  States  were 
concerned,  had  now  almost  reached  its  bound- 
ary line,  would  continue  to  contribute  to  tlie 
greatness  of  this  nation.  This  development 
Avithin  tlie  Canadian  Hues  had  gone  forward 
with  a  rapidity  quite  equal  to  that  of  the 
United  States.  The  growth  in  all  material 
respects  of  Canada,  in  her  splendid  cities,  in 
the  extension  of  her  railways,  the  improve- 
ment of  her  public  works,  and  in  the  steady 
progress  of  all  that  goes  to  make  up  a  great 
nation,  made  her  to-day  a  very  attractive 
field  for  the  extension  of  business. 

Have  you  realized  the  magnitude  of  Can- 
ada? Its  area  covers  3,600,000  square  miles, 
while  that  of  the  United  States  covers  only 
3,036,000  square  miles.  Canada  is  equal  in 
extent  to  nearly  the  wliole  continent  of 
Europe.  It  will  be  said  that  thr  Is  largely 
made  up  of  inhospitable  and  unproductive 
regions.  But  the  modlflcation  of  the  climate, 
through  the  Influence  of  large  bodies  of  fresh 
water,  is  sufficient  to  remove  fron\  it  the  re- 
proach of  sterility,  till  now  its  wheat-growing 
zone  far  exceeds  that  of  the  United  States. 
ai)d  wheat  was  one  of  the  most  delicate  of 
plants. 

PUOl'OSED  BECIPROCITY. 

If  between  that  great  country,  possessing 
many  advantages  wliioh  this  country  does 
not  possess— if  betweea  these  two  great 
countries  a  complete  commercial  freedom 
should  exist,  is  It  not  a  question  which  should 
receive  the  most  thorough  and  the  most  Im- 
2 


partial  consideration  J  As  a  sign  of  the  at- 
tention wliteh  the  matter  was  receiving,  the 
bill  as  introduced  in  Congress  by  the  Jlou. 
Benjamin  Butterworth,  of  Ohio,  was  refen'ed 
to.  That  measure  proposed  a  <u)nii)iete  inter- 
change between  the  United  States  and  Can- 
ada of  every  product,  whether  natural  or 
manufactured.  It  swept  out  of  sight  all 
custom  houses,  and,  if  luadc  effectiv(\  would 
open  up  a  new  market  among  live  millions  of 
people  for  the  Unite<l  States.  Without  as- 
suming any  political  entanglements,  without 
undertaking  any  llnaneial  obligations,  with- 
out adding  a  dollar  to  taxation,  the  operation 
of  this  proposal  for  free  commercial  relations 
would  not  only  materially  extend  the  con- 
sumption of  the  products  of  the  United 
States,  but  it  would  place  within  cheapened 
access  numerous  products  of  Canada  .which 
the  people  of  the  United  States  needed.  They 
not  only  needtnl  them,  but  they  could  nowhere 
else  get  them  to  such  advantage. 

THE  CANADIAN  FISHEIilEB. 

Take  for  Instance  the  fisheries  of  Canada, 
which  are  the  largest,  the  richest,  and  the 
most  accessible  in  the  world.  Twenty-five 
hundred  miles  of  sea  coast  in  the  Atlantic 
alone,  a  distance  almost  equal  to  that  Irom 
Cape  Cod  on  the  Atlantic  to  the  remotest 
point  on  the  Pacific— three  thousand  miles  In 
the  Pacific  and  inland  seas— in  all  over  five 
thousand  five  hundred  miles  of  coast  in  a 
northern  latitude,  where  the  fish  is  at  its 
finest,  is  as  much  a  national  possession  of 
Canada  as  are  the  prairies  of  lilluuis  or  the 
forests  of  Maine.  Fish  food  from  the  Polar 
regions,  brought  to  these  coasts  by  Arctic  cur- 
rents,  affords  a  sustenance  for  countless  mil- 
lions of  fish,  destined  in  turn  for  the  susten- 
ance of  human  life.  It  Is  no  wonder  that 
Canada  holds  firmly  to  her  vast  fishing  in- 
terests. The  advantage  which  she  derives 
from  the  bait  which  lines  her  shores.  Indented 
by  numerous  bays.  Is  a  geographical  one. 
When  you  recall  the  fact  that  twenty-five 
per  cent,  of  the  cost  of  the  ordinary  fishing 
voyage  is  found  in  the  bait,  you  will  see  how 
important  an  element  it  is.    If  this  bait  can 


18 


COMMERCIAL    UNION  IN  NORTH  AMERICA. 


\)f  scciin-tl  by  (llppliiK  It,  hh  It  were,  from  th»^ 
Canadiuii  nIioicm  of  tho  hwi  into  cartu  ainl 
Hmall  I'oatH,  ItH  poHReHHlon  Jh  Itko  the  pommch- 

Nioii  of  H I  corn  or  wheat  in  an  agricultural 

coinnuuilfy.  To  soil  one'H  Heed  corn  would 
1)0  folly.  To  permit  it8  wile  to  a  competitor, 
■without compensation  or  conHideration.  into 
give  up  the  advantageH  of  geographical  loca- 
tion and  proprietary  rightM  aH  dlHtinctlve  hh 
any  other  national  right.  This  is  not,  how- 
over,  the  proper  place  to  discusH  this  ques- 
tion. It  l8  Himply  alluded  to  becauHcit  shows 
the  a<1vantages  which  would  come  to  the 
United  States  if  the  entire  Ashing  facilities  of 
the  vast  coast  line  could  bo  thrown  open  to 
her  enterprise  and  in.lustry.  The  harvests  of 
the  sea  have  been  but  skimmed.  Properly 
cultivated  as  they  w«mld  be  with  open  mar- 
kets In  this  vast  country,  and  as  a  reward  for 
American  enterprise  and  the  Investment  of 
capital  and  skill,  the  food  products  of  the 
ocean  could  be  quadrupled.  The  cost  of  sus- 
tenance of  human  life  in  all  our  largo  centres 
could  thus  be  immensely  decreased,  and 
coupled  with  the  vast  productive  agricultural 
forces  on  the  ranches  and  prairies  this  ele- 
ment could  be  drawn  upon  for  a  large  contri- 
bution towards  the  sustentation  of  human 
life  at  the  cheapest  possible  rates. 

CANADIAN  WHEAT  FIELDS. 

But,  aside  from  the  fisheries  of  Canada, 
which  are  so  rich  and  so  vast,  and  the  possi- 
bility of  future  development  for  the  benefit 
of  the  United  States,  there  are  numerous 
other  products  which  the  United  States 
might  well  avail  themselves  of.  Take  for 
Instance,  the  article  of  wheat,  and  recall  the 
steady  growth  noi-thward  of  its  production. 
Within  the  memory  of  most  middle-aged  men, 
the  Genesee  Valley,  in  New  York  State,  was 
the  great  wheat  producing  region.  Boches- 
ter  was  called  the  Flour  City  because  of  its 
once  famo'i  s  mills,  now  idle.  Then  came  Ohio, 
then  Illinois  and  Iowa,  but  now  in  these  later 
days,  the  production  of  wheat  for  export  and 
for  tne  susteur.nce  of  the  people,  Is  confined 
largely  to  tb  j  northern  regions,  such  as  Min- 
nesota, Dakota,  and  even  Montana.  Has  any- 
one yet  realized  what  this  northern  tendency 
means,  and  how  far  it  will  affect  the  great 
Canadian  wheat  producing  regional  Why  is 
it  that  in  Manitoba  and  the  Northwestern 
Territories  wheat  is  produced  to  the  greatest 
advantage  is  found  In  two  great  facts,  the 
first  of  which  is  that  there  are  two  hours 
more  of  sunshine  during  the  summer  months, 
owing  to  their  nearness  to  the  Arctic  circle, 
than  in  any  other  region  in  which  wheat  can 
be  grown.  These  iwo  hours  add  immensely 
to  the  productive  power  of  the  region.  A  gain, 
the  depth  of  frost  la  such  that  It  never  quite 
leaves  the  ground,  but  with  the  strength 
and  the  length  of  the  sun's  rays  the  exudation 
Is  constant,  so  that  dry  weather  and  drought 


lose  half  their  terrors.  With  these  and  other 
advantages,  recall  the  fact  that  there  are  yet 
three  hundred  and  seAenty-flve  millions  of 
acres  of  agricultural  Innda  to  be  brought  intic 
cultivation  in  the  Canadian  North-West,  and 
that  the  wheat  zone  of  Canada  covers  no  1«nm 
a  s]>aee  than  one  million  two  hundred  thou- 
sand square  ndles.  If  in  this  tcndtaicy  north- 
ward, and  all  tht^se  climatic  advantages,  ther(^ 
la  fouiul  an  attraction  in  the  wheat  producing 
regions,  surely,  if  the  United  Htati>8  can  enjoy 
therein  a  market  for  Iht  agricultural  imple- 
ments, her  boots  and  shoes,  and  all  her  other 
manufactures,  and  her  natural  produiits  with- 
out let  or  hindrance,  or  without  cost,  why 
should  »he  not  do  sol  The  rapid  settlement 
of  the  North- Western  States  makes  certain 
an  equally  rapid  settlement  of  North-Westeru 
Canada. 

THE   HUDSON  HAT  RAILWAY. 

An  outlet,  via  the  Hudson  Bay  route,  for 
the  railway  system,  which  in  the  last  two 
years  has  been  used  as  a  supplement  to  the' 
Canada  Pacific  railway,  is  almost  a  certainty. 
With  Winnipeg  as  near  to  Liverpool  as  New 
York,  with  an  Inter-State  Commerce  bill 
which  in  the  United  States  disturbs  and 
upsets  and  revolutionizes  the  charges  for 
transportation,  the  Hudson  Bay  railway  is 
more  likely  to  bo  built  than  ever  before. 
Why  should  not  all  this  vast  territory  be 
made  tributary  to  the  growth  and  progress 
of  the  United  States  by  breaking  down  all 
the  barriers  to  commerce  between  them  ? 
But  it  is  not  in  flsli  and  wheat  alone,  or  in 
the  regions  of  trade  which  produce  them  to 
the  greatest  advantage,  that  a  temptation  Is. 
offered  to  the  trade  and  commerce  of  the 
United  States. 

THE  LUMBER  INTERESTS. 

In  the  single  article  of  timber  and  lumber 
this  vast  country  would  receive  an  advantage 
far  greater  than  on  almost  any  other  article. 
In  Canada  there  are  sixty  different  kinds 
of  timber,  and  the  forests  of  pine,  of  which 
there  are  nineteen  varieties,  possess  for  the 
United  States  an  attraction  of  the  greatest 
possible  character.  Think  of  the  denuded 
forests  of  Maine  and  the  Saginaw,  and  of  the 
treeless  prairie  lands  of  the  West,  and  of  the 
necessity  and  activity  of  bviilding  in  the  East, 
and  then  compare  how  inadequate  is  the 
supply  of  timber  for  the  necessities  of  these 
localllties.  In  British  Columbia  alone  the 
lumber  industries  of  that  province  wUl  arise 
to  immense  importance.  To  have  free  access 
to  the  vast  forests  which  Canada  controls,, 
and  to  have,  without  taxation  or  any  bariler 
whatever,  the  best  that  the  North  American 
continent  affords  in  the  shape  of  woods,  is  to- 
place  within  the  grasp  of  the  residents  of  the 
United  States  a  facility  and  advantage  of  the 
greatest  value.  At  present  a  twenty  per 
cent,  duty  on  Canadian  lumber  Just  adds  so* 


COMMERCIAL    US  ION  IX  XOIiTIl  AMEIilCA. 


19 


lumber 
Ivantage 
article^ 
t  kinds 
>f  whlcli 
for  the 
greatest 
deimdetl 
id  of  the 
d  of  the 
ihe  East, 
is  the 
of  these 
lone  the^ 
ill  arise 
)•  access 
lontrols^ 
bariier 
merican 
>d8,  is  to- 
ts of  the 
;e  of  the 
>nty  per 
ftdds  ■» 


inbch  to  tho  cost  of  tin*  creation  of  liomoM.  A 
freodom  of  «'oinnier(!lnl  rclatloiu'  Ix^twctMi  tlie 
two  coiiiitrleH  would  inort^aHo  largely  tli*' 
]ioHHil)llit.v  of  ovoiy  man  owning  Ills  own 
vintt-clad  cottaK*\  and  chan^InK  from  Com- 
munlstHand  AnarchlMts  men  who  wctc  proud 
to  own  lioiueH  of  tholr  own.  But  aHldc  fioui 
llHhoilcfl,  Krain,  and  tlmlter,  thoro  aro  numer- 
ouHolhoruatiiralproductH  which  thlHrountry 
iiecdH. 

NOVA  SC'OTIAN  VOK\.  FIKI-DH. 
Tn  the  matter  of  Nova  8colla/i  coals  for  the 
Eastern  Btates,  the  advantages  of  tli"  EaHt- 
ern  manufacturei  are  clear.  Not  only  iu 
Nova  Heotla,  hut  throughout  the  Northwest- 
ern Territories  there  is  a  poHHlblllty  of  the 
"Widest  devehipment  of  the  coal  regions.  In 
Saskatchewan,  Athabasca  and  other  points ; 
there  are  workable  seams  of  from  four  to  ten 
feet  In  thickness  of  the  best  kind  of  coal,  and 
in  the  npheavings  of  the  Itocky  Mountains 
the  highest  grades  of  anthraelte  are  reached 
Avithln  the  Canadian  liorder.  So  far  west  as 
British  Columbia,  coal  is  now  being  shipped 
at  the  rate  of  three  hundred  thousand  tons 
per  annum  to  San  Francisco,  wheio  it  com- 
mands tho  highest  price,  notwlthstaadlng  a 
duty  of  twenty  per  cent,  against  It.  From 
ocean  to  ocean,  within  the  Canadian  border, 
the  geological  details  show  great  riches  In 
the  coal-producing  territory,  which  ought  to 
ho  available  to  the  United  States  by  breaking 
down  all  commercial  bairiers  between  It  and 
Canada.  Not  the  least  of  the  advantages 
which  AVOTild  result  from  a  free  commercial 
relation  would  be  the  development  of  Cana- 
dian phosphates,  which  of  late  years  have 
attracted  a  good  deal  of  attention.  The  pro- 
duction has  increased  from  five  thousand 
four  hundred  tons  in  1877,  to  twenty-five 
thousand  tons  in  1885.  There  is  i^othing 
which  the  South  so  much  lU'ods  as  the  fer- 
tilizing iorces  which  Canadian  phosphates, 
properly  treated,  would  furnish.  Tliere  are 
numerous  other  natural  products  which  it  is 
needless  to  mention,  but  Including  copper 
and  iron,  which  are  available  for  develop- 
ment. Almost  a  continent  of  productive 
power,  possessing  more  than  tho  ordinaiy 
natural  advantages,  is  available  for  American 
eutery|[^o,  American  capital,  and  American 
trade,  if  but  the  magic  touch  of  Freedom  and 
a  free  market  is  afforded  to  it. 

BELATIVK  ADVANTAGES. 

It  may  he  urged  that  the  advantages  to  the 
United  States  will  not  he  so  great,  from  a 
complete  fi-eedom  of  commercial  intercourse, 
as  they  will  he  to  Canada.  Well,  we  cannot 
te-night  go  into  a  question  of  book-keeping. 
It  is  sufficient  to  know  that  Canadians  them- 
selves do  not  think  that  the  advantage  would 
he  on  their  side.  They  have  some  consider- 
able development  in  manufactures,  which  not 
a  lew  of  them  consider  would  be  severely 


oompet<-d  with  by  the  skill,  capital,  and  enter- 
Itrise  of  competitors  from  tlie  United  statei*, 
if  the  local  market  wcrt'  open  to  tlu-m.  But 
IlieHc  inanufa<'turerH,  no  doubt,  would  lie 
willing  to  take  their  cliances.  With  tlie 
frugality  of  tlieir  worklngnu>n,  their  in- 
dustry, the  advantage  of  natuial  leMources, 
great  water-i>owers  and  other  facilities,  tlu'y 
would  try  to  hold  tluMr  own.  But  It  would  be 
an  even  race,  a  friendly  j'ompetitlon,  wlifeh 
the  manufacturers  of  the  United  states  r..e 
certainly  not  afraid  to  en<'onnter.  If  their 
Canadian  brethren  a<'ro8s  the  border  are 
^^illing  to  take  the  risk.  There  are  many 
proilucts  tli»>re  svliich  niight  tlnd  a  market 
hem.  It  would  be  an  advantage  to  the ])eople 
if  aueli  could  be  the  ease.  It  would  be  an 
e(|ual  advantage  to  manufacturers  here  to 
have  a  nuirket  such  as  is  being  developed, 
and  in  the  next  tlfty  years  will  be  developed, 
In  the  regions  to  the  North-WcHt.  It  Is  true 
that  <'ompl»'te  ctmunerclal  freedom  between 
tho  United  Htates  and  Canada  would  not  be 
popular  anuuig  English  nuinufaeturers.  To 
tax  goods  of  tho  mother  country  at  a  liigli 
rate,  and  y»>t  let  the  products  of  the  United 
Htates  come  in  free,  would  seem  a  poor  reward 
to  the  mother  land  for  all  the  costliness,  the 
anxiety,  and  tho  risk  which  she  had  hitherto 
encountertnl ;  but  if  a  great  advantage  could 
be  secured  to  her  oirsprlng  by  a  commercial 
alliance  sjich  as  is  proposed,  surely  England 
will  not  exact  so  great  a  sacrifice  as  it  would 
be  to  f  rego  the  ofter.  Tnere  comes  a  period 
in  the  history  of  every  nation,  like  that  in  the 
experience  of  every  business  man,  when  a 
change  in  relations  opens  and  broadens  oppor- 
tunities for  advantage  to  employes  or  connec- 
tions, when  if  selfish  considerations  inter- 
vene,  great  injustice  is  done.  Canada  is 
woiklng  out  Its  own  destiny  of  self-govern- 
ment. English  laws,  English  language, 
English  literature,  and  loyalty  to  English  in- 
stitutions pervade  it  completely  and  entirely 
That  it  should  forever  remain  disassociated 
in  a  commercial  point  of  view  from  the  great 
nation  on  its  holders  s-ems  unreasonable.  If 
at  this  Juncture  in  affairs  a  complete  commer- 
cial freedom  could  be  created  between  the  two 
countries,  while  many  in  England  might 
oppose  it.  a  popular  vote  in  England  would 
certainly  couHrm  it.  It  might  be  a  difficult 
thing  to  accomplish,  but  not  an  impossible 
one ;  and  Canada  is  so  far  grown,  so  far  inde- 
pendent, and  so  far  self-reliant,  that|a  refusal 
to  permit  her  to  avail  herself  of  the  advan- 
tages of  the  vast  market  which  the  United 
States  affords,  and  to  become  enriched  by  a 
closer  contact  with  this  glorious  Republic, 
while  still  maintaining  her  loyalty  to  the 
British  throne,  would  be  an  act  of  such  in- 
justice as  might  materially  lessen  the  loyalty 
to  that  throne.  Viewed,  therefore,  from  both 
a  British  and  Canadian  point  of  view,  there 
seems  no  sufficient  barrier  to  prevent  th» 


so 


COMMEUCIdL    U.MOX  IX  .SOUTH  AMERICA. 


I 


rurrylnjc  <»nt  of  tlic  uropimltioii  tliivt  complfti! 
roniiiuii'clal  froctlimi ulKiiiltlexlMt  iMstvvtoii  tlif 
tw«toouutri{«a. 

CANADA'S  IH'.BT. 

Tt  Ik  truo  tliiit  CaiiHtla  Iibm  a  vii«t  poim- 
liir  <1«>l)t  In  itroportloii  U>  Itx  iiopiilatimi.  IMh 
4M)uall.v  lru«  tliat  that  ilfht  Iihh  hecii  cieatiiii 
liy  rcnilcrliiK  arctMsllilt'  aliiiOHt  a  coiittin'iit  iif 
protliictlVHKiill.  Koiiu'  other  iiKHlf  of  taxalioii 
Ihuii  that  (if  (liitloH  (III  liiiporfatioiiM  iiilRht 
have  to  he  a(U>ptc(l,  liiit  llm  fact  that  the 
iiiarkctH  wliUh  tl><>  L'uited Ht.itcs afford  coiihl 
be  freely  opened  for  her  natural  piodurtloiiM, 
Wduhl  (lovelo))  wHh  such  rapidity  the  vast 
ri!Kl'»"«  which  theMo  expenditures  haveoiien- 
«d  up,  that  Canadians  would,  no  dcdht,  gladly 
«ul»iiiit  to  taxation  in  dlften>nt  fornm  to  make 
up  for  the  loss  of  reTeniie  now  levied  upon 
Inijmrts  from  the  United  Htates.  Of  course, 
there  are  diflBculth'M  in  the  way  of  a  i>rop(»sl- 
tlon  for  complete  eonunercial  InlercoiirHe,  but 
tl-ey  will  dlsapiiear  as  tliey  are  aiiproachul; 
Jind  if  the  New  York  Jioard  of  Tiado  and 
other  liberal  eommerelal  budles  entertain  fa- 
vorably Die  idea  ;  if  it  i.-i  made  the  suhject  of 
dlMCUMsioa  and  investlKatlon,  it  is  belUived 
that  goiid  results  will  follow.  No  better  nds 
sloD  can  a  man  liav(«  than  to  enlarge  tho 
boundaries  of  comuK^rce.  Next  to  IncnfaHlng 
faclUtica  for  itu  acoommodation,  the  creation 


of  new  markets,  thr  onlarjromont  of  reaonrcea, 
and  solldifylDK  and  building  up  of  Die  VMm- 
nierce of  the  country  Is  an  object  W(Mlliy  of 
iiian'n  hlglitmt  pow(^rH.  That  tlilH  nan  be  ao- 
couipllHhed  in  a  greater  degree  by  the  pro- 
posed  breaking  down  of  coiiiinerciMl  Itarrlera 
to  tl>e  north  iH  as  clear  as  the  noonday  huh. 
The  bill  of  Mr.  Hiitterworth,  therefore,  la  full 
of  IntereHt,  and  though  there  Is  no  immedlato 
h(>p(<  for  its  pansage,  its  scope  aiai  reKUltH 
may  welf  l>e  discussed.  Comparing  it  with 
the  bill  of  Mr.  Belmont  for  retHllatlou  and 
non-intercourse,  Is  like  comparing  light  with 
darkoesK.  The  Hutterwortli  bill  ^mrtakes  of 
tlui  spirit  of  the  age,  enlar^scd  commen^lal 
freedom,  a  liberal  treatment,  u  self-reliant 
attitude,  and  a  comprelicnHiv(>  polh'y.  Mr. 
Itelmout's  bill  for  retul'atlon  and  non  Inter- 
course partakes  of  the  dark  agen,  when  by 
force  and  jirossure  treaties  were  wrung  from 
dependent  natiOus,  and  natural  advautagcs 
possessed  by  neighboring  nations  were  seized 
regardlesA  of  sonsequeuces.  As  bctw(»u 
these  two  nieasureH  the  public  will  Judge, 
and  1  venture  to  predict  that  if  the  facts  were 
properly  put  before  the  great  Anu'rlean  pnb- 
lie,  a  popular  vote  to-day  anu>ng  the  fair- 
niiuded,  liberal,  enlightened  nu'rchantsof  the 
country  would  be  ten  to  one  in  favor  of  com- 
ni«irc!al  treadom  between  the  countries  on 
this  continent. 


IS! 


THE  CANADIAN   FARMER'S  FUTURE. 


AN  OPEN   I.K'rrKR  FROM 


ERASTUS  WIMAN,   OF    NEW   YORK, 


-TO— 


VALANCEY  E.  FirXEU,  I^t^.,  FARMERS'  INSTITUTE  CONVENTION, 
COURT  HOUSE,  TORONTO,  ONTARIO. 


DEAB  SIR : 

A  Lkttku  from  you  In  the  public  prints 
of  April  18,  with  H(iv«ral  othorH  from  thinking 
farniors  In  various  looalltloH,  lr.(!fc,at«\s  that 
tlio  Convention  of  roprcHentatlvos  of  Farni- 
an'  iDstltnti'H,  to  be  hold  In  Toronto  on  tho 
28Ui  innt.,  will  pohbohh  more  than  ordinary 
Interest.  It  appears  to  bo  universally  ad- 
mitted that  some  changes  are  ahsolut(!ly 
essential  to  restore  prosperity  to  the  farming 
community  of  Canada.  The  object  of  the 
Convention  Is  avowedly  to  dlfcuss,  a:>d  if 
])0S8lble  discover,  what  remedies  are  avail- 
able to  relieve  the  depressed  condition,  and 
gloomy  prospect  of  that  numerous  and  moat 
respectable  class.  It  Is  doubtful  if  in  ail  the 
world  there  is  a  community  In  whom  the 
virtues  of  Industry,  fruifality,  or  Integrity 
are  more  marked,  thereby  entitling  them  to 
the  highest  measure  of  comfort  and  happi- 
ness. Yet  It  may  be  doubted  If  there  is  any 
class  of  the  community  in  Canada  whose 
hard  labors  are  so  poorly  requited;  whose 
economies  accomplish  so  little  iu  the  shape 
of  accumulations,  or  whose  prospects  are  so 
uncertain.  Thinking  men  who  lova  their 
country,  and  who  look  below  the  8urfa(  s, 
will  see,  in  this  condition,  results  most  ^'■^^ 
astrous ;  for,  If  the  farmer  cannot  prosper  in 
Canada,  there  is  no  hope  for  Canada.  The 
whole  superstructure  of  her  commerce,  and 
her  manufactures  rest  upon  his  ability  to 
consume  and  pay.  If  this  ability  is  re- 
stricted, if  it  steadily  de<?line8  rather  than 
Improves,  It  Is  time  for  farmers  to  assem'ble 
iu  convention  to  inquire  for  remedies.  It  is 
time  for  some  other  remedy  to  be  discovered 
thar  that  of  borrowing  money,  or  that  which 
results  from  increased  taxation.  The  perfec- 
tion of  the  machinery  f«(r  lending  money  ia 
Canada  is  the  boast  of  some  of  her  shrewd- 
est business  men,  and  yet  to  some  it  is  the 
saddest  commentary  on  her  condition.  It  is 
true  that  in  the  use  of  capital  on  reasonable 
terms,  great  advantages  are  to  be  gained,  but 
ia  not  the   limit  dangerously  near   where 


disastor  lurks  in  the  loan?  When  .•(rosportty 
and  good  results  are  possible  fro*  i '  he  use  of 
money,  the  money-lending  machlntny  may 
be  a  benelleent  agency  ;  but  when  •intivtissed 
and  limited  markets  are  encountered,  when 
loss  and  accumulating  interest  impend,  the 
very  perfection  of  this  machinery  is  the  force 
that  brings  ruin.  The  amount  of  Interest 
])Hyable  by  the  farmers  of  Canada  to-day. 
In  i\w  aggregate.  Is  absolutely  appalling  in 
proportion  to  their  possible  prottts;  while 
the  aggi'cgate  interest  account,  including 
the  annual  charges  on  (he  public  debt,  the 
municipal,  mercantile,  and  private  indebted- 
ness, if  footed  up,  would  approach,  in  the 
sum  remitted  to  Or(>at  Britain,  one-half  of 
the  total  value  of  the  exports  to  that  coun- 
try. Biit  it  is  not  by  loans  alone  that  the 
Canadian  farmer  has  been  endeavoring  to 
get  rich.  In  the  language  of  Ooldwln  Smith, 
he  has  been  attempting  to  get  rich  by  tax- 
ation—lifting himself  by  his  boot  straps,  as 
it  were.  Just  how  far  such  a  feat  can  be 
successful  the  present  condition  Illustrates. 
Perhaps  the  numerous  delegations  that  have 
waited  upon  the  Finance  Minister,  at 
Ottawa,  to  increase  the  duties  levied  on 
various  necessities  of  life,  may  contribute 
U-  a  solution  of  the  unhappy  condition  of 
the  average  Canadian  farmer.  Certainly,  if 
a  community  can  get  rich  by  taxation,  these 
gentlemen  possess  the  remedy,  for  it  follows 
that  the  greater  the  taxes  the  greater  the 
lichos. 

But  something  more  is  needed.  A  reniwly 
greater  and  more  effective  la  essential  for 
the  Canadian  farmer  than  that  which  is  to 
be  found  in  borrowing  (money  or  increasing 
taxation— something  that  will  accomplish 
more  than  subsidizing  railroads,  building  un- 
necessary canals,  or  spendiJig  money  ou 
cruisers  to  hunt  down  the  shipping  of  ft 
friendly  power.  What  is  most  needed  by  the 
Canadian  farmer  to-day  is  a  better  price  for 
liis  produce.  What  his  ueoeasitles  require 
is  a  larger  market. 


22 


COMMEliCIAL    UNION  IN  NORTE  AMERICA. 


I 


3 

li 


The    movement    contemplated    by   yonr 
luHtltutes  toward  improved  drainage,   the 
encouragement  of  breeding  horses,  and  to- 
ward better  fertilizers,  la  good  and  wise  in 
its  way.    But,  if  beside  this,  a  grei,r  and 
near-by    market  can    be  secured,    if    con- 
tinuously better  prices  are  possible,  this, 
and  this  alone,  will  bring  back  prosperity  to 
the  Canadian  farmer.    It  may  well  be  asked, 
how  can  this  great  boon  be  achieved]     I 
answer,  it  is  within  the  grasp  of  Cana^la  to- 
day.     By  a  complete  reciprocity  with  the 
United  States,  a  market  such  as  the  world 
has  net  or  equalled,  is  open  to  every  Canadian 
farmer.    A  wealthy  and  extravagant  people 
are  at  her  very  bordeis,  and  badly  need  her 
products.    They  are  willing  and  ready  to  pay 
liberally  for  them,  and  to  adrait  thom  free  of 
duty.    The  only  condition  they  exact  is  that 
their   products    should    be   admitted   into 
Canada  on  the  same  terms.    In  other  words, 
that  there  should  be  as  complete  an  inter- 
change of    pi*oducts    between    the   United 
States    and   Canada   as    there    is  between 
Ontario  and  Quebec— as  there   is   between 
New  York  and  New  Jersey.    These  are  the 
provisions  of  the  bill  introduced  Into  Con- 
gress by  the  Hon.  Benjamin  Butterworth, 
of    Ohio— a  bill    that   will   become   a   law 
within  a  year,  if  Canada  shows  a  disposition 
to  co-operate  on  the  earn'    lines.    It  needs 
only  that  resolutions  fa\i)rable  to  such  a 
movement  should  pass  the  Canadian  Parlia- 
ment, and  that  there  should  be  no  more  irri- 
tation on  the  fishery  question.    It  needs  only 
a  kindly,  neighborly  disposition  on  the  part 
of   Canada,  and   the  greatest  boon  which 
the  United  States  can  gi-ant,  or  which  tlie 
Canadian  farmer  can  receive,  is  within  the 
possibilities  of  an  early  day.    It  may  be  said 
that  thes*^  possibilities   are  overiated,  and 
that  the  ideas  expressed  by  the  British  Lion 
Tail-twisters  in  Congress,  and  elsewhere  in 
the  United  States,  indicates  a  hostility  to 
Canada,  and  that  reciprocity,  in  the  present 
condition  of  public  sentiment,  is  out  of  the 
question.     It  can  be  forcibly  replied,  that 
the  vast  mass  of  thinking  men  in  the  United 
States   feel  that  an  abolition  of  all  trade 
restrictions  on  tliis  continent  is  most  desir- 
able; that  from  the  President  and  bis  Cabi- 
net, down  to  these  very  Tail-twist«r8  them- 
selves,  not  a  man  of  prominence  has  yet 
expressed  himself  but  has  been  favorable  to 
a  settlement  of  all  international  ditBculties 
by  a  Conimercial  Union  between  Canada  and 
the  United  States. 

A  Reciprocity  Treaty,  such  as  existed 
from  1854  to  1867  (under  which  Canadian 
farmers  prospered  as  they  never  prospered 
before  or  since),  is  an  Impossibility.  Ameri- 
cans fesi  that  it  was  one-sided  and  unfair 
to  them ;  and  such  a  partial  and  temporary 
remedy  is  now  clearly  oat  of  the  question. 
Bat  that  it  is  posaible  to  pass  an  Act  con- 


templating the  more  comprehensive  measure, 
whereby  there  will  be  secured  a  permanent 
and  complete  commercial  nnion  between  the 
two  great  Englisli  sp'^aking  nations  of  the 
North,  no  one  here  doubts  who  watches  the 
signs  of  the  times.  Its  very  comprehensive- 
ness makes  it  '^(tractive.  The  possibilities 
of  an  extension  of  the  trade  of  the  United 
States  into  the  unknown  regions  of  the 
North,  the  advantages  that  would  result 
from  the  free  introduction  of  the  great 
agricultural,  mineral  and  other  resources  of 
the  Dominioii.  together  with  the  prospect 
of  settling,  once  iot  all,  the  various  inter- 
national differences  that  continually  arise: 
these  considerations  help  forward  a  favorable 
conclusion.  The  financial  condition  of  the 
United  States,  her  vast  surplus,  the  necessity 
ol  reduction  in  her  taritf  revenues,  are  also 
important  factors,  while  the  peculiar  rela- 
tion of  political  parties,  one  to  the  other, 
on  this  quMtion.make  the  time  an  opportune 
one  for  tA  passage  of  an  Act  favorable  to 
Commercial  Union  with  Canada. 

It  has  all  along  been  felt  by  Canadian 
residents  here,  who  closely  felt  the  pulse  of 
public  sentiment,  that  If  only  the  fishery 
question  could  approach  even  a  temporary 
adjustment,  during  this  Spring,  the  best 
results  would  follow,  in  the  shape  of  a 
friendly  discussion  of  enlarged  commercial 
relations  between  the  two  countries.  Fears 
were  entertained  that  by  some  injudicious 
seizure  In  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  some 
harsh  or  mistaken  proceeding,  the  growing 
sentiment  favorable  to  an  amicable  settle- 
ment of  this  vexed  question  would  bo  turned 
into  a  feeling  of  indignation  and  hostility, 
resulting  in  retaliation,  non-intercourse,  and 
perhaps  actual  war.  Under  conditions  of  such 
suspense,  and  in  the  face  of  danger,  come 
the  proposals  for  settlement  of  the  fishery 
question  on  the  basts  proposed  by  Lord  Salis- 
bury, whereby  the  right  to  fish  in  Canadian 
waters,  and  to  buy  supplies,  is  awarded  on 
condition  that  Canadian  fish  are  admitted 
to  the  United  States  free  of  duty.  This 
proposal,  if  carried  out,  while  it  seems  to 
yield  important  privileges,  is  one  that  is 
destined  to  accomplish  results  more  bene- 
ficent than  it  has  ever  been  the  good  fortune 
of  any  British  minister  to  accomplish  on  this 
continent.  Not  only  does  it  seem  like  a  divine 
intervention,  to  settle  at  a  most  critical  mo- 
ment a  question  that  was  assuming  a  most 
serious  shape,  but  it  comes  like  a  mes<>..ge 
of  peace  to  the  American  people,  yielding 
up  to  them  valuable  privileges,  and  Inviting 
them  to  take  the  first  step  in  the  direction 
of  free  commercial  intercourse,  which  they 
will  not  be  slow  to  follow.  For  the  settle- 
ment of  the  fishery  question  in  this  way  does 
not  necessarily  close  the  dlacaasion  of  en- 
larged international  relations.  On  the  con- 
trary, this  a^uatment  only  opens  it  up,  and 


COMMERCIAL    UNION  IN  NORTH  AMERICA. 


23 


an  a  manner  that  frees  it  from  the  only 
Berioas  source  of  complication,  so  that  with 
a,U  the  conditions  favorable,  already  referred 
to  as  existing  in  this  country,  it  seems  not 
Improbable,  now  tliat  public  attention  has 
been  directed  to  the  question,  tliat  a  very 
little  effort  would  result  In  such  action  by 
Congress  as  would,  so  far  as  it  is  concerned, 
remove  all  barriers  to  the  freest  commercial 
intercourse  with  Canada.  That  this  action 
coald  be  helped  forward  by  some  expression 
from  the  Canadians  themselves  no  one 
aoubts ;  and  it  remains  for  Canadian  larmers 
to  insist  tliat  their  representatives  in  Parlia- 
ment should  give  this  expression  of  wishes 
shape  and  form.  In  talcing  this  step  the 
larmers  would  vastly  Improve  their  pros- 
pects,  and  maltea  move  toward  increasing  the 
value  of  every  acre  of  land,  and  every  article 
of  produce  they  could  grow. 

All  the  advantages  of  an  open  market,  with 
«ixty  millions  of  people,are  within  their  grasp. 
All  the  advantages  of  contiguity,  o^excellent 
means  of  communication,  of  extreme  pros- 
perity among  liberal  buyers,  without  the 
payment  of  duty,  without  the  sacrifice  of  a 
single  political  principle— all  this  within  a 
year  is  possible  to  the  Canadian  farmer.  If 
he  chooses  to  exert  his  influence  on  bis  repre- 
sentative in  Parliament  at  Ottawa.  It  need 
not  be  a  party  question.  It  is  better  that  it 
should  not  be.  Farmers  may  differ  about 
religious  matters,  or  on  politics,  or  on  modes 
of  cultivation,  but  there  can  be  no  difference  in 
opinion  as  to  the  benefits  of  a  free  and  open 
market,  with  the  most  progressive  and  the 
wealthiest  nation  of  the  continent.  There 
can  be  no  difference  of  oi)inion  as  to  the  ad- 
vantage resulting  xrom  a.n  advance  in  prices 
of  every  bu^nel  of  barldy,  of  every  horse 
that  is  fo''  sale  ove"  t>»e  border,  for  every 
lamb  tha'j  bleats,  for  every  chicken,  or  even 
for  ever  J  dozen  eggs  that  the  farmer's  wife 
gathers  -and  last  year  the  United  States  re- 
ceived from  Canada  fourteen  million  dozen  of 
eggs !  This  is  a  question  of  economics,  not  of 
politics,  and  hence,  can  be  discussed  In 
farmers'  institutes  with  perfect  propriety. 
Sut  it  is  the  duty  of  politicians  of  all  shades 
to  examine  It,  and  it  is  within  the  power 
of  politicians  of  both  parties  to  promote  it. 
The  farmer  certainly,  whose  interests  above 
all  others  should  be  watcheil,  and  by  every 
means  promoted,  has  the  right  to  demand 
that  his  representative  should  investigate 
the  aiibject,  that  he  sould  not  be  bound  down 
by  party  lines  on  a  matter  of  such  moment, 
And  that  he  should  vote  tor  such  measures  or 
resolutions  as  would  ludicate  to  the  United 
Btates  the  wishes  of  bis  constituents.  If 
the  farmers  will  let  their  wishes  be  known  to 
their  members  by  letters  and  petitions,  on 
•even  postal  cards,  their  voice  will  be  potent. 
Pew  men  at  Ottawa  will  fail  to  heed  the 
«xpros8ioii  of  a  nnanimtins  sentiment  for  a 


larger  market  and  better  prices,  if  urged 
upon  them  by  anything  like  a  united  and 
hearty  movement  of  their  constituents. 

There  are  not  a  few  who  think  that  the 
present  moment  is  the  most  important  one  for 
the  future  ot  Canada  tliat  has  yet  occurred 
in  her  liistory.  A  great  opportunity  exists 
for  vastly  improving  her  prospects  by  a  com- 
mercial alliance  with  a  neighboring  nation. 
By  this  alliance,  and  still  remaining  a  British 
Colony,  and  working  out  In  her  own  way  the 
problem  ot  self-government,  she  can  be  inde- 
pendent ot  all  the  evils  that  beset  a  repub- 
lic, and  yet,  by  this  commercial  bargain,  our 
native  country  can  have  all  the  untold  ad- 
vantages of  vast  markets ;  share  in  the 
wealth  of  the  most  money-making  and  most 
progressive  people  in  the  world ;  compete  in 
manufactures  at  all  points,  with  the  ad- 
vantages of  great  natural  products,  abundant 
water  powers  and  a  frugal  and  Industrious 
population.  By  this  means,  and  by  this  alone, 
can  the  world  be  taught  that  Canada  can 
hold  her  own  in  a  free  market  with  the  pro- 
ducts of  her  farms,  of  her  fisheries,  or  of  her 
factories  :  it  remains  with  the  farmers  of 
Canada  to  see  that  this  chance  is  afforded  her. 

I  trust  you,  and  other  farmers  who  may 
read  this  letter,  will  pardon  the  presumption 
which  prompts  it,  but  situated  as  1  am,  with 
common  interests,  with  a  knowledge  of  the 
common  welfare  of  the  two  countries,  and,  as 
I  grow  older,  with  my  thoughts  and  attec- 
tions  turning  to  my  native  land,  I  cannot 
resist  the  temptation  to  point  out  what  I  con- 
ceive to  be  the  path  that  leads  to  her  pros- 
perity. Communities  here,  without  one-half 
the  natural  advantages  which  Canada  pos- 
sesses, are  In  the  highest  degree  prosperous. 
The  mortgage  indebtedness  in  whole  States 
has  been  enormously  reduced,  If  not  entirely 
liquidated;  where  ten  years  ago  the  inteiest 
account  from  the  West  to  the  East  was  a 
heavy  burden,  there  are  now  numerous 
farmers  in  the  West  who  seek  investment  in 
the  East.  Local  and  governutcntal  Indebt- 
edness is  being  rapidly  reduced;  g'-eat  pro- 
jects carried  forward  within  the  mei-ns  of 
each  locality,  and  without  borrowing  a  dol- 
lar, and  a  general  condition  of  hopefulness 
and  material  strength  unequalled  elsewhere 
in  the  world.  These  are  not  from  any  dift'er- 
ence  in  form  of  government,  or  any  advan- 
tages from  political  organic  policy,  except  and 
save  the  one  that,  as  between  the  varied  com- 
monwealths  of  the  Union  there  aie  no  com- 
mercial barriers.  The  activities  of  the  one 
help  to  build  up,  support,  and  make  prosper- 
ous the  activities  of  the  other.  Canada,  self- 
reliant,  self-poised  by  a  commercial  union, 
can  be  made  the  equal.  If  not  greater  than 
any  of  these  great  commonwealths,  and 
thereby  possessed  of  a  greater  prosperity 
than  ever  entered  the  heart  of  man  to  con- 
ceive.  Thus,  while  under  existing  conditions 


24 


COMMERCIAL    UNION  IN  NORTH  AMERICA. 


her  vast  natural  resources  and  geographical 
advantages  are  restricted,  aud  from  present 
indications  yield  her  but  a  partial  and  meagre 
prosperity  at  best,  she  could  at  one  Iwund 
become  the  moat  envied  of  all  nations  in  the 
world.  She  might  then  become  the  most  pros 
perous  and  the  most  contented,  as  she  is 
even  now  the  richest  country  in  the  world, 
though  the  want  of  development  renders  her 
liable  to  the  reproach  that  she  is  one  of  tlic 
poorest. 
I  venture  to  address  this  letter  to  you,  sir, 


because  ol  he  worthy  position  which  yon 
occupy,  an  .  the  public  sDirit  that  you  have 
evinced  iu  the  promotion  of  the  agricultural 
interests  of  your  native  land,  and  'jecause  of 
your  well-known  liberality  and  activity  in 
promoting  eveiything  that  advances  the> 
good  of  your  fellow  countrymen. 

Faithfully  yours, 

ERASTUS  WIMAN. 
New  York.  April  2(!,  1887. 


IS   RECIPROCITY   POSSIBLE? 


A  SECOND  LETTER  TO  VALANCE Y  E.  FULLER,  Esq.,  PRESIDENT' 
OF  THE  FARMERS'  INSTITUTE  CONVENTION, 

-FROM— 

ERASTUS  WIMAN,  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Dear  sir':— Yon  are  good  eLDngh,  in  your 
recent  cominunicationp,  to  say  that  the  lettei" 
which  I  took  the  liberty  of  sending  you  two 
weeks  ago,  on  the  Farmer's  Future,  has  not 
only  heen  almost  universally  read,  hut  by 
the  fanners  has.  been  almost  universally 
approved.  Yoti  further  inform  me  that  one 
of  the  chief  difficulties  encountered  in  the 
Dominion  by  the  advocates  of  Commercial 
Union  between  Canr.daand  the  United  States, 
is  the  doubt  that  in  the'latterlcoui^try  a  move- 
ment to  accomplish  this  piUDose  could  be 
successfully  carried  out.  From  what  you 
say.  In  some  quarters  it  appears  to  be  feared 
that  the  great  boon  which  Canada  might 
secure  by  this  arrangement  is  not  within  her 
grasp,  and  that,  untU  there  is  better  evidence 
of  the  expectation  being  fultilled  in  the 
United  States,  it  is  unwise  to  evoke  an  ex- 
pression in  Canada  in  its  favor.  It  is  not 
surprising  that  such  a  doubt  exists,  and  you 
urge  me  to  write  you  another  letter  for  pub- 
lication, setting  forth  tlie  reasons  why  this 
hope  Is  entertained  that  action  favorable  to 
Commercial  Union  can  be  secured  in  the 
United  States.  It  must  be  admitted  that  the 
possibilities  on  the  surface  seem  uncertain  of 
carrying  through  Congress  a  measure  such  as 
that  proposed  by  Mr.  Butterwouth,  which, 
if  it  became  law,  and  was  met  by  a  cones- 
ponding  acjion  of  the  Parliament  ol  Canada, 
would  result  in  Commercial  Union  between 
th«  two  countries.  Judged  by  the  frequent 
expression  of  hostility  to  Great  Britain  by 
professional  politicians  who  hope  thereby  to 
catch  the  vast  Irish  vote,  no  action  favorable 
to  a  colony  of  that  empire  might  be  expected 
in  this  country.  Equally  impossible  does  it 
seem  that  any  movement  toward  reciprocity 
is  possible  in  the  fa«e  of  the  abrogation  of  the 
treaty  which  prevail<^d  from  1854  to  1866, 
and  the  determined  opposition  which  meets 
any  proposition  to  renew  that  convention. 
To  these  two  apparently  true  indications  of 
adverse  public  sentiment  is  added  a  keen 
sense  of  the  injustice  which  the  action  of  the 
Canadian  government  conveys  to  the  people 
of  this  country  by  defending  the  Fisheries  of 
Canada  with  armed  cruisers,  and  by  insisting 
on  such  an  interpretation  of  the  Treaty  of 


1818  as  makes  a  convention  of  comity  an 
eugine  of  hostility  to  the  people  for  whose 
benefit  it  was  agreed  to.  How  thoroughly 
Justified  the  Canadi  m  govei  nment  may  be  In 
what  it  has  done,  or  is  doing  in  this  regard, 
makes  IlttPj  dlfiferenca  so  far  as  feeling  here 
is  concei'-ed,  as  in  shown  by  the  decisive 
movement  In  Congress  on  the  retaliation  bill, 
a  movement  which  has  hardly  a  parallel  In 
any  legislative  body  In  times  of  peace,  in  the 
extent  of  damage  it  would  inflict,  not  only  on 
a  nearby  neighbor,  but  on  this  country  itself. 

In  view  of  all  these  and  other  indications. 
It  does  seem  Incredible  tliat  an  arrangement 
might  be  reached  by  action  In  the  Congress  of 
the  United  States,  whereby  every  barrier 
which  exists  between  the  trade  of  the  two 
oountries  could  be  swept  away  ;  that  an  ar- 
rangement could  bo  reached,  not  only  adjust- 
ing all  existing  differences,  and  removing  the 
possibility  of  future  complications,  but  that 
each  country  should  open  to  the  other  Its  ter- 
rltory  for  the  freest  commercial  Intercourse. 
The  difference  in  the  I  wo  conditions,  as  they 
exist  now,  and  as  they  would  exist  then,  is  so 
marked  as  to  seem  Impossible  ot  achievement 
in  the  present  state  of  feeling.  It  Is  there- 
fore no  wonder  you  say  our  friends  in  Canada 
liesitato  to  believe  the  good  news  to  be  true, 
th'it  it  is  possible  in  the  near  future  to  work 
out  a  change  so  gi'eat,  and  full  of  results  of 
such  magnitude. 

But  in  reply  to  this  apparei  tly  reasonable 
inference,  it  may  be  said  that  the  surface  In- 
dications ara  leally  not  seriously  Influential. 
Thus,  the  desire  to  catch  the  Irish  vote  will 
never  seriously  interfere  with  action  to  im- 
mensely beuetit  the  country.  While  there  is 
lots  of  buncombe,  and  plenty  of  resolutions 
ou  paper  regarding  Ireland,  and  apparent  an- 
tagoulnm  to  England,  no  real  leiilslation  has 
been  affected  thereby.  So  with  regard  to 
limited  reciprocity,  the  objection  to  the  old 
treaty  was  not  against  the  principle  itself,  so . 
much  as  against  wliat  was  considered  to  be 
the  one-sldeduess  of  the  treaty.  This  objec- 
tion is  entlrelj  removed  when  a  Complete  Re- 
ciprocity Is  proposed.  In  the  proposed  uni-- 
versal  exchange  ot  products  and  manufac- 
tures, such  aa  Is  Implied  in  Commercial  L  njon, . 


mMmmmmimimiitm 


96 


COMMEliCIAL    UNION  IN  NOItTH  AMERICA. 


S.' 


the  opponents  of  the  old  convention  absolutely 
■Tjecome  the  advocates  of  the  new  plan.  Then, 
"\vlth  regard  to  the  Fishery  question,  if  the  ad- 
verse action  thereon  is  not  too  harsh  and  Irri- 
tatluR,  it  can  be  made  a  positive  force  contri- 
butory to  the  movement  for  such  a  wide  and 
permanent  adjustment  of  the  relations 
between  the  two  countries  as  will  forever  re- 
Inove  the  possibility  of  a  recurrence  of  these 
tlifferences,  80  you  will  see  that  In  all  the  ap- 
liarent  impediments  to  favorable  action  in 
Congress  In  behalf  of  unrestricted  intercourse. 
It  would  not  take  much  to  change  them  to 
Impelling  motives  In  this  direction. 

That  these  conclusions  are  justfled,  it  is 
only  necessary  to  point  out  the  fact  that  the 
introdactiou  of  the  Butterworth  bill  has  been 
almost  universally  commended.  There  is  hard- 
ly a  public  man  on  either  side  of  politics,  who 
has  been  consulted,  but  has  expressed  an 
■opinion  favorable  to  it.  It  is  true  that  some 
see  ditflculties  in  the  way— some  cannot  be- 
lieve that  England  will  consent  to  permit 
Canada  to  admit  free  of  duty  the  manufac- 
tures of  the  United  States,  while  she  exacts 
«,duty  on  those  of  Great  Britain.  It  is  true, 
many  fail  to  immediately  .n>prchend  how  the 
^details  are  to  be  worked  out,  how  the  tariff  of 
the  two  countries  is  to  be  adjusted,  and  the 
combined  revenues  to  bo  distributed.  But 
where  one  is  met  who  urges  objections  such 

•■as  these,  titty  are  pronounced  in  favor  of  an  ex- 
tension of  the  commerce  of  the  United  States 
Into  a  country  larger  than  their  own  on  the 

one  hand;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  equally  in 
favor  of  having  free  access  to  the  enormous 
'resources  of  Canada,  in  her  fisheries,  miner- 
als, timber,  and  agricultural  products.  These, 
It  is  argued,  can  all  be  made  immensely  cou- 
•tiibutory  to  the  progress  of  the  United  Htates; 

-and,  as  the  public  revenues  now  show  a  sur- 
plus of  over  one  hundred  millions  of  dollars 
per  annum  more  than  is  needed  for  the  ex- 

•pensos  of  the  government  and  the  extinguish- 
ment of  the  public  debt,  the  proposition  to 

■•abolish  all  the  duties  on  Cauailian  products, 
of  all  kinds,  tlnds  exceeding  favor,  provided 
a  similar  movi       iit  is  simutaneoualy  made 

■in  Canada.  It  i,i  one  of  the  modes  by  which 
the  public  revenues  can  be  reduced  witnout 
imperilling  auy  distinctive  interest.    ludoed, 

•in  many  minds,  the  very  interests  which  a 
high  tariff  has  stimulated,  are  advanced  by 

'the  possibility  of  opening  up  new  markets 

•on  the  one  hand,  and  the  bringing  in  raw 
material  from  new  "ources,  without  duty, 

•on  the  other.    As  has  already  been  said,  the 

.proposition  for  commercial  union,  in  the 
United  States,  appeals  with  equal  force  to  the 

iprotectionistand  the  free  trader,  for  to  the  one 
it  is  a  free  ti  ansfer  of  products  into  a  country 

■already  protected,  while  to  the  other  it  is  an 

•extension  of  commerce,  without  burdening 
the  product  with  taxation,  and  admitting 

-tree  of  duty  the  large  contributions  of  raw 


material  which  Canada  can  make.  Indeed 
the  effect  of  an  arrangement  with  Canada, 
would  probably  be  to  lower  the  United  States 
tariff,  while  calling  for  a  slight  advance  of 
that  of  Canada,  so  as  to  attsiln  a  uniformity 
the  change  In  either  need  not  be  marked. 

A  very  important  consideration  to  be  borne 
in  mind  is,  that  while  no  distinctive  interest 
in  the  United  States  is  threatened  by  a 
change  so  great,  no  distinctive  political  party 
Is  opposed  to  it.  The  contributions  of 
CHna<lain  her  agricultural  products  would 
not  adversely  affect  the  farmer  of  the  West, 
for  both  seek  a  European  market  for  their 
surplus ;  while  the  consumer  In  the  Eastern 
manufacturing  districts,  and  in  the  densely 
populated  centres  on  the  Atlantic  coast, 
would  benefit  by  the  cheapened  cost  of 
living  which,  from  their  contiguity  to 
the  Canadian  fisheries,  Canadian  collieries 
and  Canadian  farms,  would  contribute  to 
them  if  their  products  were  worked  to  their 
fullest  extent,  and  admitted  free.  The  im^ 
pelling  motive  favorable  to  Commercial  Union 
with  Canada  is,  you  will  see  very  strong,  and 
that  it  is  already  commanding  the  favorable 
attention  of  the  most  infiuential  and  the  most 
independent  public  men  there  is  no  doubt. 
In  order  that  there  may  be  some  indications 
furnished  of  the  strength  of  this  sentiment, 
there  will  be  sent  you  shortly  some  ex- 
tracts from  letters  and  speeches  from  promi- 
nent parties,  and,  from  time  to  time,  further 
expressions  of  opiuion  from  the^e  will  be  se- 
cured. Those  pronounced  views  are  but  slighc 
indications  of  the  universal  sentiment  which 
one  meets  among  the  hard-headed,  liberal- 
minded  businesa  men  of  this  country,  who 
arc  quick  to  see  in  the  proposed  obliteration 
of  a  customs  line  three  thousand  miles  long, 
a  removal  of  a  restriction  to  trade  on  this  con- 
tinent which  they  believe  really  should  never 
have  been  created,  an4  w  hich  in  this  age  and 
continent  of  freedom  there  Is  no  justification 
for  longer  existing.  That  the  day  on  which 
this  line  is  broken  down—  this  long  barbed 
wii-e  fence  is  removed-willbe  a  blessed  day 
for  the  farmers  of  Canada,  no  one  who  knows 
their  present  condition  can  doubt. 

But,  not  only  are  leading  public  men  on  both 
sides  of  the  party  line  favorable  to  the  idea  of 
Commercial  Union  with  Canada,  and  not  only 
do  thinking  business  men  thorouglily  approver 
of  it,  but  there  Is  reason  to  believe  that  Presi- 
dent Cleveland  and  his  administration  favor 
It.  There  have  been  not  a  few  indications 
from  the  members  of  the  Cabinet  in  this  direc- 
tion, and  personally  I  have  been  the  honored 
ro<5ipient  of  views  on  this  matter  that  show 
the  kindliest  disposition  toward  Canada,  not- 
withstanding all  that  has  occurred,  farther, 
the  President's  policy,  so  pronounced  and  so 
generally  popular,  is  directly  in  the  line  of  a 
measure  at  once  so  liberal  and  so  comprehen- 
sive as  this  would  be.    Xo  act  In  his  moat 


N 


COTdMERCIAL    UNION  IN  NORTH  AMERICA. 


a? 


«ucce88lul  administration  would  bear  results 
one-half  as  potent  or  far  reaching  as  the  union 
of  the  two  great  English  speaking  nations  of 
tlie  Continent,  on  a  firm  commercial  basis. 
Luckily,  bis  long  residence  near  the  Canadian 
fcorder  has  more  or  less  familiarized  him  with 
the  Dominion,  and  bis  own  good  common 
sense,,  coupled  with  his  Democratic  tenden- 
cies, which  arereally  toward  freedom  in  trade, 
enables  him  at  once  to  grasp  tlie  greatness 
«nd  beneflcence  of  this  question.  His  firm 
and,  indeed,  friendly  attitude,  as  shown  in 
1)18  recent  letter  on  the  Retaliation  Bill,  may 
bo  taken  as  a  fair  indication  of  the  temper  of 
Ills  mind.  Yon  will  recall  how  broadly  he 
viewed  the  question,  as  affecting  the  Interests, 
not  of  any  section,  but  of  the  whole  country  at 
large,  and  how  firmly  and  yet  kindly  he  al- 
luded to  the  Intimacy  of  thereHtions  existing 
between  the  United  States  and  Canada.  The 
«ame  sentiment  pervades  the  utterances  of 
Mr.  Bayaud,  the  Secretary  of  State,  who 
would  be  the  President's  chief  adviser  on 
matters  of  this  kind.  Few  men  In  the  country 
have  broader  views,  larger  conceptions,  and  a 
higher  order  of  ability  than  this  gr^at  man ; 
and  Canada  is  most  fortunate  tliat  at  this 
•critical  Juncture  in  her  history,  the  State 
Department  Is  presided  over  by  a  gentleman 
at  once  so  patient,  so  prudent,  and,  >vlthal,  so 
firm  and  yet  so  friendly.  No  one  can  liave 
watched  the  policy  of  the  Washington  admin- 
istration closely— no  one  who  has  any  know- 
ledge of  its  tendencies,  or  is  at  all  familiar  with 
their  personnel,  but  will  be  satisfied,  that  if 
the  Canadian  people  through  its  Parliament 
Indicate  a  desire  to  be  commercially  united 
with  the  United  States,  the  movement  WDuld 
have  a  hearty  support  from  the  President 
and  his  Cabinet.  Hence,  the  Importance  of 
prompt  action  In  Canada,  for  over  one-half  the 
term  of  the  present  administration  has  al- 
ready expired,  and  a  new  election  eighteen 
months  hence  may  make  all  the  difference  In 
the  world. 

I  now  come  to  a  motive  that  here  helps  for- 
ward the  desire  for  Commercial  Union,  which 
needs  to  be  handled  very  gingerly.  This 
motive  is  to  hope  tliat,  should  the  Canadians 
be  brought  into  a  closer  commercial  relation 
with  the  United  States,  It  would,  in  time,  be 
followed  by  a  political  alliance.  It  is  the 
dream  of  some  good  people  that  the  form  of 
republican  goverment  should  cover  the  con- 
tinent; and  it  Is  to  many  a  matter  of  real 
surprise  that  Canada  has  not  long  ago  bid 
«ood-bye  to  Great  Britain,  and  sought  admis- 
«ion  into  the  American  Union.  It  Is,  however, 
proper  to  say  that  to  the  vast  mass  of  Ameri- 
cans it  is  a  matter  of  perfect  indifference 
whether  Canada  is  annexed  or  not;  while 
there  is  a  considerable  section  who  would 
dtrongly  oppose  it,  because  of  the  nerious 
political  complications  that  would  follow  In 
▼lew  of  party  Infiuences,  and  the   uncer- 


tainties it  would  beget  as  to  party  triumphs 
for  years  to  come,  lint  Commercial  Union, 
while  it  seems  to  be  a  step  in  the  right  direc- 
tion for  those  wbo  desire  a  pv^litical  union, 
does  not,  to  others  who  are  ludlh'erent,  imply 
more  than  It  really  performs ;  while  to  the 
politician  it  threatens  no  disturbance  in  calcu- 
lations and  combinations.  So  that,  vast  as 
are  the  consequences  that  may  flow  from  it 
commercially,  its  political  slgniflcance  is  by 
no  means  certain,  and  it  thus  commends  Itselt 
alike  to  all. 

Bight  here  let  me  say  a  word  or  two 
about  the  view  of 'this  matter  In  Canada.  Be- 
cause any  considerable  section  in  the  United 
States  advocate  Commercial  Union,  in  the 
hope  that  it  will  be  followed  by  annexation, 
it  does  not  Imply  that  in  Canada  such  a  motive 
should  prevail.  Canada  cannot  be  annexed 
without  her  free  and  hearty  consent,  and 
those  who  are  familiar  with  the  loyalty  that 
permeates  her  through  and  through,  know 
that  unless  under  great  stress  of  absolute  and 
sorrowful  necessity,  she  will  never  lessen  her 
allegiance  to  Great  Britain.  The  material 
advantages  whicn  a  connection  with  the 
United  States  would  bring  would  be  the  only 
Justification  for  the  step.  To  save  the  country 
from  life-long  bankruptcy,  and  to  put  her 
people  on  the  high  plane  of  prosperity,  might 
to  the  majority  be  deemed  sufficient  to  pal 
llate  a  peaceful  revolution,  whereby  Canada 
should  sever  her  connection  with  the  dear 
mother-land.  But,  thank  God  I  this  is  un- 
necessary. All  that  annexation  would  bring 
in  Its  material  advantages.  Commercial  Union 
brings;  all  that  the  closer  political  alliance 
would  accomplish  In  benefits  to  Canada  is 
accomplished  by  complete  reciprocity.  With 
Commercial  Union  granted,  there  is  nothing 
In  the  form  of  goverment  in  the  United 
States  that  will  give  to  Canadians  any 
advantasre  which  they  would  not  then  pos- 
sess; and  Biitish  connection,  with  all  its 
advantages,  and  the  glory  of  all  its  tradi- 
tions, would  be  more  permanent  than  ever 
before.  The  logic  of  this  conclusion  is 
irresistible,  and  parties  in  Canada  who 
attribute  annexation  motives  to  Canadian 
advocates  of  Commercial  Union  show  only 
how  partially  and  imperfectly  they  under- 
stand what  they  are  talking  about.  For 
the  strongest  advocate  of  Commercial  Union 
with  the  United  States,  Is,  in  the  existing 
conditions  of  Canada,  the  strongest  advocate 
for  political  union  with  Great  Britain. 

Another  class  in  the  United  States  who 
favor  Commercial  Union  with  Canada  are 
found  in  those  who  regard  her  Sv  r<'<iast  and 
lake  defences  as  impossible  to  feet  even 
by  vast  expenditure.  To  be  in  perfect  peace 
with  a  flrst-olass  military  power  Ilk.:  Great 
Britain  whose  empire  stretches  3,000  miles 
along  one  side  of  the  border  line,  and  who 
could  attack  at  numberless  poln  ts  along  5,000 


INI 


28 


COMMERCIAL   UNION  IN  NORTH  AMERICA. 


miles  on  tho  other  side  of  the  coast  line,  Is  to 
many  prudent  thinklnf^  people  a  most  desir- 
able con8iinimatl(m.  To  remove  all  possible 
cause  for  conflict,  to  forever  settle  the  con- 
stantly recurring  fishery  disputes,  and  gen- 
erally to  beget  a  close  and  intimate  connner- 
clal  alliance  with  the  only  power  that  could 
seriously  trouble  this  country,  is  deemed  a 
step  of  the  greatest  wisdom  by  Americans 
who  wander  throngh  theirobsolete  and  Inofln- 
cient  forts,  or  who  correctly  estimate  the 
prowess  of  the  existing  navy. 

Having  thus  tried  to  show  you  the  ten- 
dtucies  in  the  United  States  in  favor  of  Com- 
mercial Union  with  Canada,  it  remains  to 
indicate  the  influences  that  would  oppose  it. 
It  is  difficult  to  discover  these  in  any  great 
force.  The  Pennsylvania  Legislature,  the 
other  day,  voted  down  a  resolution  favorable 
to  it,  and  in  Canada  this  has  been  heralded 
forth  as  an  indication  of  i)opular  fjentimont. 
The  fact  is  that  this  Legislatuie  is  largely 
under  tho  influence  of  three  great  foi'ces. 
These  are :  the  Standard  Oil  Company,  the 
anthracite  coal  combiuat'.on,  and  the  manu- 
facturers. All  these  bodies  are  much  inter- 
ested in  keeping  out  of  the  United  States 
Canadian  oil.  Canadian  coal,  and  Canadian 
manufactures.  Is  it  surprising  tliat  away  up 
in  HaiTisburg  the  willing  servants  of  these 
vast  interests  do  the  bidding  of  their  mas- 
ters 1  If  they  had  never  done  anything  worse 
than  vote  against  Commercial  Union  with 
Canada,  tho  people  of  this  country  mijht 
have  some  respect  for  the  expression  of  their 
views;  but  in  knowledge  of  what  has  oc- 
cuiTed,  even  this  session,  at  the  bidding  of 
the  Standard  Oil  Company,  the  influence  on 
tho  people  of  the  United  States  on  such  a 
vote  has  no  more  effect  than  water  on  a 
duck's  bacK. 

Of  course,  there  are  opponents  to  commer- 
cial union  with  Canada  in  the  United  States. 
It  would  be  strange  indeed  if  there  were  not 
bitter  battles  to  be  fought  to  achieve  it. 
The  press,  with  some  exceptions  strongly 
approving  of  it,  are  as  yet  uupronounced  in 
regard  to  it;  some  are  possibly  waiting  to 
see  In  which  way  the  tide  turns.  The  politi- 
cal trade  winds  which  generally  prevail  in 
the  autumn  may  or  may  not  favor  it, ;  indeed, 
may  be  indifferent  to  it,  for  the  subject  may 
be  too  vast  for  the  intellect  of  the  average 
ward  politician  who,  this  off  year,  rules  the 
roost  in  local  politics.    But  It  makes  little 


difference,  for  the  vast  majority  of  thinking: 
men  are  in  favi.r  of  a  union  with  the  English 
speaking  nation  to  the  north  of  them,  on  any 
basis  that  is  equitable  and  fair,  and  a  coni- 
meroial  basis  of  free  interchange  of  products 
of  all  kinds  commends  itself  to  them.  The 
Boards  of  Trade  and  other  commercial  bodies 
will  doubtless  take  the  matter  up  in  due 
time,  and  the  sentiment  in  its  favor  which 
now  unquestionably  prevails  will  find  early 
expression.  That  the  sentiment  exists,  and 
strongly,  too,  is  best  shown  by  the  conviction 
that  tlie  Butterworth  bill  could  pass  the 
House  of  l>.^presentat'ves  today  by  a  large 
majority,  jtrovided  an  expression  favorable 
to  the  measure  could  be  had  from  tho  people 
of  Canada  through  their  Parliament. 

Aside  from  the  foregoing  considerations 
which  prevail  in  the  United  States,  favorable 
to  a  commercial  union  with  Canada,  there 
are  numerous  others  of  equal  weight,  but  I 
have  exhausted  both  your  patience  and 
the  space  rightly  belonging  to  me.  I  admit 
ihatl  have  done  only  partial  Justice  to  the 
subject,  but  it  is  too  large  a  matter  to  be  dis- 
cussed within  a  narrow  space,  and  some  fu- 
ture opportunity  must  be  taken  to  amplify 
the  facts  as  they  exist  here.  I  would  not 
have  obtruded  myself  upon  yon  and  your  as- 
sociates again,  but  for  your  urgent  request 
that  I  should  give  the  reason  for  the 
faith  that  was  in  me,  that  the  sentiment  in 
this  c»  autry  in  favor  of  reciprocity  with 
Canada  could  be  greatly  augmented  if  a  dis- 
position was  shown  in  the  Dominion  in  that 
direction. 

To  be  associated  with  you,  sir.  In  your 
caph;«.lty  as  a  leader  among  an  army  so  vast 
as  the  farmers  of  my  native  laud— so  stal- 
wart, so  frugal,  and  so  worthy,  and  yet  so- 
helpless  In  their  present  condition,  and  so 
hopeless  as  to  their  future— to  be  engaged 
wUhthemlna  mission  to  accomplish  a  pur- 
pose so  great  as  that  of  throwing  open  the 
markets  of  these  vast  commonweaJths  to 
the*r  free  access,  is  snfSclent  to  stimulate  one 
to  the  greatest  exertions,  and  the  greatest 
sacrifices.  I  thank  you  most  heartily  for 
the  kind  words  you  have  said,  as  to  the  efforts- 
that  are  being  put  forth  to  beget  a  proper 
understanding  of  this  great  question  on  both 
sides  of  the  line.  And  with  much  regard,  I 
remain, 

Faithfully  years, 

ERASTUS  WIMAN. 


r 


COMPLETE    RECIPROCITY. 


SHORT  EXTRACTS  AND  LETTERS. 


^Exb  act  jyom  S2)eech  on  Retaliation  Bill  by  Hon.  Robert  R.  ITitt,  Member  of 

Congress  from  Illinois.'] 

"  And  let  me  not  speak  of  'reciprocity '  without  expressinp;  a  liearty  hope 
that  we  shall  yet  have  reciprocit.y  ct^uiplete  with  our  northern  neighbors — 
no  one-sided  game,  as  it  was  the  last  time  when  we  made  a  treaty  in  18ri4, 
in  ^Avhich  we  were  so  thoroughly  outwitted,  that  under  it  we  gave  to  the 
Canadians  a  market  for  $229,000,000  worth  of  their  products  to  come  in  with- 
out paying  duty  during  the  time  that  reciprocity  treaty  was  in  force,  while 
under  it  they  gave  us  a  market  free  of  duty  for  scarce  more  than  half  as 
much.  So  ingeniously  w^as  it  framed  at  our  expense  that  it  admitted  free  of 
duty  94  per  cent,  of  all  Canada  had  to  sell  to  us,  and  left  42  per  cent,  of  all 
we  sold  to  Canada  still  burdened  by  their  tariff.  In  spite  of  kindly  feel- 
ing for  neighbors,  and  desire  to  see  enlarging  commerce,  we  soon  had  enough 
of  such  costly  reciprocity,  and  tenninatod  the  treaty.  Of  a  far  different 
stamp  is  that  wider,  fairer  reciprocity  contemplated  in  the  bill  introduced  a 
■day  or  two  ago  by  my  friend  from  Ohio  [Mr.  Butter  worth],  whi<;h  would 
abolish  all  diities  on  the  Canadian  border,  make  a  common  tariff  and  cus- 
toms union,  sweep  away  all  custom  houses  across  the  whole  continent,  dis- 
pense with  the  whole  consular  service  in  Canada,  and  remove  all  custom 
house  lines  to  follow  the  lines  of  the  ocean.  I  would  gladly  see  that  done. 
But  it  will  not  be  a  reciprocity  like  the  last,  which  denied  to  our  manufac- 
tures the  market  of  Canada,  and  gave  to  Canadian  agriculture  tlie  vast  mar- 
ket for  their  products  which  our  splendid  manufacturing  system  and  popu- 
lous centres  had  slowly  built  up." 


^Extract  from  Sj)eech  on  Retaliation  Bill  by  Hon.  N.  Dingley,  Jr.,  Manner  of 

Congress  from  Maine.'] 

"I  may  add  in  passing — although  this  question  is  not  involved  in  the 
liresent  controversy  with  Canada — that  when  this  question  of  the  reciprocal 
privileges  of  all  the  vessels  of  the  United  States  and  Canada,  in  the  ports  of 
each  country,  shall  be  settled,  1  shall  for  one,  and  in  my  judgment  this 
country  will,  be  ready  at  any  time  to  give  a  candid  consideration  to  any 
propositions  looking  to  real  reciprocal  trade  relations  with  Canada.  By 
real  reciprocal  trade  relations  I  mei;in  such  as  will.adiait  the  manufactured 
products  of  this  country  into  Canada  free  of  duty,  while  retaining  a  duty  on 
the  manufactured  products  of  Great  Britain  and  other  countries,  in  return 
for  an  admission  of  Canadian  products  into  our  country  free  of  duty,  while 
we  retain  duties  as  to  similar  articles  imported  from  other  countries.  But 
auch  one-sided  reciprocity  as  that  provided  by  the  treaty  of  1854,  we  do  not 
<jare  to  repeat." 


30 


COMMERCIAL    UMOX  IN  NORTH  AMERFCA. 


{Letter  from  Hon.  John  Siieuman,  United  States  Senator  from  Ohio.'\ 

Senate  Ciiamiier,  Washington,  May  10,  1887. 

Dear  Sir: — Your  note  of  tlio  5th  iust.,  enclosing  jnoof  shootH  of  a, 
pamphlet  relating  to  full  reciprocity  between  the  ITnited  States  and  th©' 
iJoniiuion  of  Canada,  and  asking  my  o^)iuion  upon  the  general  sub^oct,  is. 
just  received. 

No  question  of  greater  importance  in  our  foreign  relations  is  now  pre- 
sented than  this.  It  certainly  is  an  object  of  desire  to  remove  all  existing 
controversies,  and  to  encourage  business  and  commercial  intercourse  between, 
the  people  of  both  countries.  As  to  the  particular  measure  proposed  by  Mr. 
Butterworth,  or,  indeed,  as  to  the  extent  to  which  reciprocity  should  go,  and 
the  articles  that  should  be  adiritted  free  of  duty  in  the  respective  countries, 
I  do  not  feel  justified  in  now  expressing  an  opinion,  for  these  must  be  the 
subject  of  negotiation  between  and  legislation  by  the  two  countries.  I  can 
only  say  that  the  general  object  sought  seems  to  be  one  of  the  highest  im- 
portance, creditable  alike  to  both  countries,  and  -which  will  receive  my  care- 
ful and  friendly  consideration  during  the  coming  summer.  It  would  be- 
discreditable  in  the  highest  degree  for  two  countriei  having  so  many  inter- 
ests in  common,  and  natural  ties  of  friendship  and  amity,  to  have  any  irrita- 
tion or  controversy  about  their  trade  and  intercourse  with  each  other. 

Very  truly  yours, 

JOHN  SHERMAN. 

Erastus  Wiman,  Esq. 


[■  'M 


ILettei'  from  Hon.  N.  Dingley,  Jr.,  Member  of  Congress  from  Maine.'] 

Lewiston,  Me.,  May  3,  1887. 
My  Dear  Sir  : — Absence  from  home  has  prevented  an  easier  acknow- 
ledgement of  your  note  of  the  23d  ult.  I  have  read  your  inclosure,  and  ami 
in  entire  accord  with  much  that  you  say.  My  own  impression,  however,  is- 
and  has  been  that  Great  Britain  would  not  consent,  even  if  Canada  did,  to. 
a  commercial  arrangement  which  would  admit  into  Canada  manufactured, 
goods  from  tne  United  States  on  more  favorable  terms  tham  from  the  United 
Kingdom.  If  there  were  reason  to  believe  that  Great  Britain  would  periMife 
such  a  conunercial  iinion  as  Mr.  Butter  worth's  bill  proposes,  it  would  be  re- 
ceived with  favor. 

Very  truly  yours, 

N.  DINGLEY,  Jr.. 
Erastus  Wiman,  Esqv 


THE  CANADIAN  FARMER'S  DUTY 


-BY— 

VALANCEY   E.   FULLER, 

PRESIDENT   CENTRAL   FARMERS'    INSTITUTE   OF  ONTARIO. 


The  following  are  extracts  from  a  letter  to  the  officers  of  Fanners'  In-^ 
stitutes  in  Canada,  in  regard  to  a  resolution  favoring  Commercial  Union,, 
which  was  passed  at  the  Central  Institute,  in  '''oronto,  at  its  April  meeting  :: 


"  It  seems  proper  tLat  I  should  state  the 
reasons  which  were  advanced  at  the  time  of 
passing  the  resolution  referred  to.  It  must 
be  apparent  to  any  one  taking  an  interest  in 
the  welfare  of  the  fanners  of  Ontario,  that 
their  futare  at  present  is  not  a  promising 
one,  and  that  the  average  farmer  of  the  day, 
unless  he  be  engaged  in  some  specialty,  is 
procuring  hut  a  very  slight  return,  if  any, 
for  his  capital  and  labor.  If  the  farmers  of 
Ontario  desire  to  keep  pace  with  the  timer, 
and  to  progress  in  place  of  retrograding,  they 
must  change  their  modes  of  farming,  or  find 
increased  and  better  markets.  Those  who  are 
at  all  familiar  with  the  condition  of  the 
farmers  of  the  United  States,  and  contrast  it 
with  thos  of  Ontario,  cannot  but  be  struck 
with  the  tact  that  the  position  of  the  Am«r- 
ican  farmer  is  vastly  superior  to  that  of  the 
Canadian.  The  farmers  of  Ontario  are  bur- 
dened with  debt ;  whereas  the  farmers  of  the 
older  States  of  th«  United  States  are  rapidly 
paying  oflf  their  debt.  The  ordinary  Ontario 
farmer's  life  is  one  of  extreme  hardship,  and 
scant  return  for  his  labor ;  whereas  the 
American  farmer  lives  in  comparative  com- 
fort, and  receives  a  fair  return  for  his  capital 
and  labor.  The  natural  question  that  sug- 
gests itself  ip,  'What  is  the  cause  of  thisi' 
It  cannot  be  in  the  soil  or  climate,  as  ours  sur- 
passes these  States  in  which  the  farmers  are 
in  a  flourishing  condition.  It  cannot  be  in 
improved  mode  of  farming,  as  the  Ontario 
farmer  is  possessed  of  more  perseverance, 
and  is  as  a  rule  a  better  farmer  than  his 
American  brother.  It  is  not  any  of  these, 
but  in  the  fact  that  the  American  market  is  a 
better  one  for  agricultural,  stock,  and  garden 
products  than  that  of  Ontario,  and  that  the 
United  State*  possess  the  population,  wealth, 
and  purchasing  power,  which  contributes 
towards  making  their  market  a  better  one  to 
sell  In.  It  will  be  contended  that  in  advo- 
cating this  we  are  losing  sight  of  the  English 
market,  bat  who  will  on  equal  terms  choose  so 
distant  a  market,  when  one  lay*  at  our  own 


doors  on  equal  terms.  It  will  also  be  argued 
that  the  'removal  of  all  restrictions  on  trade 
between  the  Dominion  of  Canada  and  the- 
United  States '  will  strike  a  most  severe 
blow  to  our  manufacturing  interests.  To  a 
limited  extent  this  may  be  true,  but  even  alt. 
the  worst  it  will  be  but  temporary.  The 
manufacturing  interest  should  not  be  made 
paramount  to  that  of  the  agi  iculturlst ;  its 
welfare  is  so  dependent  upon  the  welfare  of 
the  farmers,  that  what  aids  and  improves  the 
position  of  the  farmer  btill  more  improves 
the  position  of  the  manufacturer.  The  proa-, 
perity  of  the  farmer  means  'he  prosperity  of 
the  manufacturer,  and  the  poverty  of  the 
farmer  means  impoverishment  to  the  man> 
ufacturer. 

"  I  cannot  conceive  that  the  majority  of  our 
Manufacturers  are  incapable  of  holding  their 
own  against  the  Americans.  This  is  no. 
question  of  '  Protection.'  We  do  not  seek  to 
give  our  markets  to  the  Americans  unless  they 
give  us  theirs  in  return.  We  take  the  broad' 
ground  that  the  interests  of  the  farmers  of  On. 
tario  are  paramoiint  to  those  of  auy  other  class 
and  that  the  progress  of  Ontario  has  been 
through,  and  is  dependent  upon, the  pros- 
perity of  the  farmers.  This  is  an  indisputable 
fact,  and  if  the  removal  of  all  restrictions  on 
trade  between  the  Dominion  and  the  United^, 
States  will  benefit  you,  through  you  it  will 
benefit  the  whole  country.  The  farmers  of, 
Ontario  have  never  appreciated  their  own 
importance,  nor  have  they  In  the  past  as  a 
united  whole  asked  for  that  which  their  own 
good  sense  tells  them  will  be  for  their  future 
welfare  and  prosperity.  Are  we  to  continue 
in  this  condition  1  It  rests  with  you  to  decide.. 
The  means  is  given  you  through  this  Instiiute 
to  make  your  voice  felt.  Look  to  your  own 
Interests,  other  bodies  will  take  care  of  theirs 
but  in  so  doing  you  have  the  comforting  cont° 
vlction  that  while  you  are  protecting  and 
fostering  your  own  calling,  you  are  acting 
for  the  welfare  of  the  whole.  If  you  approT«- 
of  this  Resolution,.  let  not  the  matter  rest 


32 


COMMERCIAL    UNION  IN  NORTH  AMERICA. 


here.  Ubc,  each  and  all  of  you,  your  influonco 
to  Qiake  tins  issuo  a  live  one.  AdtlreHH,  or  soo 
your  member  of  the  Uouaeof  CommoiiH,  and 
make  him  feel  that  the  interest  of  tlie  real 
power  of  his  constituency— the  farmers- 
demand  and  must  receive  his  best  attention ; 
that  lio  represents  you,  not  hirnHclf  or  any 
particiilur  class.  This  is  not  a  party  question 
but  it  is  one  in  wliicli  every  fanner,  reKai'<l 
less  of  party  or  creed,  is  deeply  and  vitally 
i.iterested. 


"  We  ask  your  hearty  and  active  co-opera- 
tion in  this  matter.  By  glviUK  us  this  you 
will  Mtrengtli  n  our  hands;  j'ou  will  iucroaso 
the  usefulness  of  your  Institute;  you  will 
show  to  the  world  that  the  farmer  is  uo 
louKer  apathetic  to  his  own  tntorostH,  and  by 
s»»  doing  you  will  not  only  benefit  yourself, 
but  through  you  the  whole  population  of  the 
Province." 

VALANCEY  E.  FULLER, 
7Ve«'.-  Permanent  Central  Farmerg'  Institute. 


THE    CANADA    OF  TO-DAY. 


ITS  PRESENT  AND  FUTURE  RELATION  TO  THE  UNITED  STATES, 

S.  J.  RITCHIE,  OF  AKRON,  OHIO. 

The  following  is  an  address  delivered  in  Washington,  December  7,  1885, 
by  Mr.  Samuel  J.  Ritciiik,  of  Akron,  Ohio,  at  a  bamiuet  given  to  the 
delegates  to  the  convention  for  the  promotion  of  the  Permanent  Exliibitioi* 
of  the  Three  Americas,  to  be  held  in  1892,  in  honor  of  Columbus.  Mr. 
Ritchie,  though  a  resident  of  Ohio,  having  large  interests  in  railroad  and 
mineral  properties  in  Canada,  and  being  moreover  a  man  of  most  compre-' 
heusive  views,  his  ideas  and  information  are  of  great  value : 


To  aay  that  I  am  in  the  fullest  sympathy 
with  whatuver  there  la  In  the  object  and  aims 
of  this  convention— to  cultivate  and  perpe- 
tuate intimate  friendly  relations  between  the 
people  of  the  United  States  and  the  sister 
countries  of  the  Western  Hemi8phor»— would 
be  but  a  feeble  expression  of  the  interest  I 
take  in  this  great  movement. 

Differing  mainly  in  language,  we  are  bound 
together  by  natural  ties  of  the  strongest 
character,  and  the  progressive  spirit  of  the 
nineteenth  century  and  the  enlightened  age 
In  which  we  are  living  invite  us  to  closer, 
more  intimate,  and  more  lasting  relations. 

Instead  of  seeking  more  worlds  to  conquer 
by  the  enginery  of  war,  the  arts  of  peace  and 
all  the  appliances  of  modern  civilization  con- 
tribute to  the  measures  which  are  now  pro- 
Tided  to  unite  us  in  lasting  bonds  of  peace. 

Aside  from  the  natural  and  geographical 
conditions  which  nnite  us,  the  wheels  of  com- 
merce, the  locomotive,  the  steamship,  and 
ocean  cable  Join  us  by  indissoluble  ties. 

In  1854  a  treaty  of  reciprocity  waa  made 
between  the  United  States  and  Canada, 
which,  by  its  terms,  was  to  run  for  a  period 
of  ten  years  or  longer,  unless  terminated  by 
either  party  upon  a  year's  notice  being  given. 
The  articles  embraced  in  the  schedule  at- 
tached to  this  treaty  were  the  products  of  the 
farm,  forest,  mines,  and  the  sea.  The  opera- 
tion of  this  treaty  greatly  stimulated  the 
trade  of  both  countries,  whose  present  vel- 
um* is  largely  due  to  the  impetus  given  at 
that  time  or  during  that  period. 

During  four  years  of  the  operation  of  this 
treaty,  while  we  were  engaged  In  a  great 
olTll  war,  Canada  to  some  extent  afforded  a 
place  of  refoge  for  certain  parties  in  arms 
against  the  United  States.  The  bitterness 
3* 


felt  by  many  of  the  people  of  the  United' 
States  against  all  countries  not  in  sympathy 
with  us  during  our  struggle,  was  the  real 
cause  of  our  government  availing  itself  of 
the  terms  of  that  treaty,  and  terminating  it 
at  the  first  day  it  was  possible  for  her  to  da 
HO.  It  was  little  mure  or  less  than  a  retalia- 
tory measure  on  our  part,  and  no  fault  of  the 
favorable  operations  of  this  treaty  toward- 
the  United  States. 

And  now,  as  then,  Caoofla  affords  a  safe' 
retreat  for  refugees  fiom  Justice  from  the 
United  States,  owing  to  tlie  impei-fect  ma- 
chinery and  unfavorable  operations  of  inter- 
national law. 

So  much  for  the  origin  and  termination  of 
this  treaty. 

Prom  tlie  date  that  tlds  treaty  was  termi- 
nated up  to  the  present  time,  Canada  has 
made  constant  efforts  to  have  it  renewed, 
either  in  whole  or  in  part,  and  Indeed  has 
offered  to  greatly  multiply  the  advantages 
which  would  accrue  to  the  United  States. 
In  fact,  she  has  gone  so  far  that  when  dho 
adopted  her  present  tariff  system,  which  is 
alilce  operative  to  all  countries,  England  not 
excepted,  she  carefully  placed  upon  her 
statute  books  a  law  providing  that  whenever 
the  United  States  admitted  any  of  the  articles 
formerly  embraced  in  the  schedule  of  the 
abrogated  treaty,  and  many  others  not  so 
embraced,  beiniir  the  products  of  Canada,  into 
the  United  States  duty  free,  the  Dominion  of 
Canada  would  admit  like  articles  or  their 
equivalents,  being  theyroduots  of  the  United 
States,  into  Canada  duty  free.  That  law  re- 
mains upon  her  statute  books  to-day,  and  is 
to  all  intents  and  purposes  a  part  of  her  tariff. 

No  farther  legislation  on  the  part  of  Canada 
is  necessary  to  carry  this   provision  tato- 


34 


COMMEIU'IAL    UNION  IN  NORTH  A.MKlilCA. 


lA: 


effect,  nod  It  only  re(|uir)>N  lliui  n  itroclniiia- 
tloii  Hliimlil  be  iHHuett  by  the  Uovurnur  lu 
coiiiicll. 

Thus  for  twenty.one  yt'arH  Ciininln  lins 
l)«»m  ii.MkliiK  iiH  to  renew  oiir  fornmr  friendly 
imd  rwlpiixal  tnidn  lelntlonH  with  lier.  To 
all  tlilH  we  have  tiirnetl  a  deaf  car,  and  In 
none  of  tlm  piovlHlonH  now  before  ConnreHH 
provldlnj^  for  extended  and  fiee  reclpiocal 
trade  n^latlonH  with  all  otlnu'  countileH  on 
thlH  1ienitN|>ltere,  Ih  there  a  Mingle  provlHhtn 
made  for  thoHu  of  Oaniida. 

ConMld(>iatlonn  of  InttMTiatlonal  etlquett»> 
maybe  urged  against  extending  snthayio 
vision  to  a  coiintiy  which  has  a  nominal 
colonial  existence,  Bnt  when  she  has  arrived 
at  a  period  of  her  lilstory,  wlien  she  makes 
her  own  tarltl'  and  unmakes  It,  independent 
of  and  without  reference  to  the  Impeilal  gov- 
vrnmenf,  she  Is  entitled  to  full  recognition 
In  the  great  sisterhood  of  utiiteH  In  all  such 
commercial  relations. 

Shall  we  commit  any  offense  against  Eng- 
land In  extending  this  offer  to  .,'auada!  Let 
UH  see  what  some  of  her  people  say. 

No  longer  ago  than  last  may  Jos»>ph  riiam- 
berlain  said  In  the  British  Houseof  Commons 
that  the  legislature  of  Canada  was  free  to 
pass  an  act  declaring  her  Independence  and 
sovereignty,  anil  no  man  lu  tliat  house  Avould 
raise  u  voice  or  hand  against  it,  while  John 
Bright  declared  to  an  eminent  Canadum 
statesman  that  Canada  should  ccmsult  her 
real  Interests  by  cultivating  close  relations 
■with  the  great  people  on  the  south  of  her,  :ts 
nature  seemed  to  have  oue  destiny  for  li  ih 
countries. 

The  Dominion  of  Canada  has  ii  larger  area 
than  the  whole  of  the  United  States  it  we 
exclude  Alaska,  reaching  from  the  Atlantic 
to  the  Pacitic,  and  with  no  thought  of  magni- 
fying the  Importance  of  our  great  neighbor 
of  the  north  over  those  countries  on  the 
.south,  permit  me  to  Invite  your  attention  to 
a  few  statistics,  which  show  how  intimately 
we  are  bound  by  great  ar^  >rles  of  trade  to  the 
Dominion  of  Cau.ada. 

To  make  our  llgurealr.celllglble  and  fully 
understood,  I  shall  have  to  place  In  contrast 
our  trade  relations  between  the  countries 
north  and  south  of  us  as  shown  by  the  statis- 
tics of  thosa-conntries. 

In  1885  the  amount  of  goods  Imported  into 
the  Dominion  of  Canada  from  Great  Britain 
and  the  United  States  wore  as  follows :  From 
Great  Britain,  $43,418,000 ;  from  the  United 
States,  $50,492,832.  While  daring  this  siime 
peilod  the  aggregate  Impoits  of  all  the 
Central  and  South  American  States  were 
«323,800,000,  of  which  amount  the  United 
States  contributed  $27,589,429,  and  to  all  the 
countries  south  of  the  Bio  Grande  we  sold 
$81,719,000,  about  20  per  cent,  more  than 
was  sold  to  our  neighbor,  Canada.  Thus  to 
all  this  vast  territory  on  the  south,  containing 


a  population  of  OT«r  4A,000,0(M),  there  was 
nold  *-..!.  about  20  per  cent,  more  than  to  the 
Famlnlon  of  Canada,  containing  u  population 
of  but  n,0()0,iM)0  of  people. 

To  illustrate  further,  the  relative  import- 
tLKi'Vi  of  these  commert  hil  relations,  the 
HtatlsticH  show  that  the  exports  of  ('anatia 
per  capita  were  greater  than  those  of  the 
United  States,  and  her  per  capita  imports  are 
also  gieater  than  our  own.  Her  per  capita 
railway  mileage  Is  about  the  same  as  those  of 
the  United  States.  Her  growth  of  population 
from  the  date  of  our  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence up  to  the  prcKcnt  day  has  been  equal 
to  our  own,  ours  at  that  date  being  about 
3,000,000,  and  hers  being  less  than  300,000. 

The  records  of  her  criminal  courts  show 
that  she  has  a  smaller  percentage  of  crime 
than  we  have.  She  is  the  only  country  in  the 
world  whose  national  debt  is  not  a  war  debt, 
with  the  ex<!eption  of  two  or  three  luilllons 
expended  in  putting  down  tht*  recent  Kiel 
rebellion.  The  whole  of  her  debt  has  been 
incurred  In  the  development  of  her  internal 
Improvements.  In  addition  to  Iter  line  of 
railway  extending  from  the  Atlantic  to  the 
Pacific,  her  government  is  subsidizing  a  fast 
line  of  Btepmshlps  to  ply  between  Halifax 
and  I.iveritool,  and  the  Imperial  government 
has  agreed  to  subsidize  a  line  to  run  between 
Vancouver,  Yokohama,  Hong  Kong,  and 
Australia.  A  company  has  been  organfzed 
to  lay  an  ocean  cable  from  Vancouver,  via 
Sandwich  Islands,  to  Yokohama,  Hong  Kong, 
and  Australia.  An  Atlantic  ocean  cable  is  to 
be  owned  by  the  tame  company  which  owns 
the  Pacitic  cables. 

Thus  her  great  railway,  by  means  of  the 
steamships  which  will  ply  between  Halifax 
and  Liverpool  in  connection  with  it,  and  the 
Pacitic  line  subsidized  by  the  English  govern- 
ment, which  will  also  run  In  connection  with 
it,  will  have  both  under  Its  control.  Its  rail- 
ways are  reaching  out  for  the  carrying  trade 
of  the  two  hemispheres.  Not  only  this,  but 
th£  transcontinental  telegraph  system  and 
both  the  Atlantic  and  Pacitic  cables,  of  which 
I  have  sjioken,  will  be  under  the  control  and 
owned  by  her  railways. 

These  are  not  visions  of  the  future.  Most 
of  them  are  realities  of  to-day.  Already  we 
can  step  into  the  most  luxurious  car  which 
runs  on  this  continent  to  Vancouver,  on  the 
waters  of  the  Pacific,  and  ride  oontinuously 
in  it  for  a  distance  of  3,700  miles  until  you 
reach  Halifax,  on  the  Atlantic.  This  country 
has  also  a  great  inland  water  way  from  the 
mouth  of  the  St.  Lawrence  in  the  Atlantlo  to 
the  head  of  Lake  Superior,  and  all  lier  own, 
except  the  locks  at  Sault  Ste.  Marie. 

These  great  lines  of  commerce  traverse 
broad  stretches  of  our  own  country,  will  tap 
almost  every  important  centre  of  trade  on 
our  northern  border,  and  are  now  stretching 
their  arms  across  (he  State  of  Maine  to  the 


COMMICHCIAL    UNION  IN  NORTH  AMERWA. 


8B 


neaboanl.  Houth   to  Bt.  Paul,  and  the  Taut 
IntereHta  tl.at  o«ntro  In  tlnmeKian«nrHnHc.oM. 
tJnentftl  Unua  that  are  knit  tOKetluir  liy  them 
Invite  to  other  HehU  of  confjueHtM  thin  h1<Io  of 
the   great   laktw,  until    Portland,   Or<v     Ht 
Paul,  Chicago,  n-iftalo,  Now  York,  an.l  San 
FranolHco  pay  tribute  to  these  Inter.'stH  an.l 
share  In  their  wonderful  growth  anadeveh.p. 
inent;  and  It  may  astonlHh  Homo  piOHent  to 
know  that  to-day  the  Dominion  «ovornment 
has  HubHldlzed,  and  ih  now  Hubsidlzlnjj,  a  rail- 
road In   connection  with    thiH   vaHt   Hystom 
aoro8«  the  Htato  of  Maine,  t<i  shorten  the  route 
to  the  oltlea  of  the  eastern  Beaboard. 

We  i.re  one  people-In  lawH,  religion,  Hym- 
pathy,  and  purHultH,  and  de«cended  from  a 
common  origin,  and  our  trade  an.l  Intercourse 
are  conntantly  growing  In  Importance. 

Look  for  a  moment  to  the  unlimited   re- 
«ourcee  of  that  country,  with  her  gnjat  lakes 


and  rlvern  and  fore«t«;  with  her  natural 
Htorehonnes  of  gold  and  silver,  of  coal.  Icon 
copper,  and  lea.l.  H«,  pastoral  an.l  agrleul- 
tural  resounies  are  unlimited,  an.l  l,f>(»(»  mllex 
northweHt  of  Ht.  Paul  we  find  a.itually  the 
great  wheat  fields  of  Mils  continent,  and  which 
when  fully  developed,  will  not  only  eijual,  but 
far  surpass  the  great  Odessa  region  In  Russia, 
and  40,000  H.juare  miles  of  coal  underlie  this 
same  territory. 

Those  are  some  of  the  past  and  present  con- 
dltl.,ns  of  our  relations  to  this  great  country 
rhe  great  question  Is  what  shall  be  their 
future?  Shall  we  extend  the  same  courtesy 
to  her  that  we  are  exton.llng  to  our  southern 
uelghborsf  Why  should  we  not}  Hhall  we 
remove  the  custom  house,  or  shall  wf  ,  nort 
them  by  two  lines  of  fortlttcathn.  .  h 
nearly  4,000  miles  long,  the  one  built  by  our 
Helves  and  the  other  by  our  neighbors  1  It  Is 
for  our  governmenl  to  say. 


